Final Salute

Richard LaWayne “Butch” Long, 75, entered the presence of His Savior on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at home in the presence of his family.

Richard was born on April 2, 1947, to Richard and Dolores (Arnold) Long. He was the oldest of six boys and two step brothers. He graduated from Waco High school in 1965 and married Mary Miller, daughter of Oscar and Lenora Miller on September 17, 1966, at the Wayland Mennonite Church. Richard states, “Everything went good.” He enlisted in the Armed forces as a Navy Seabee and was stationed at Port Hueneme, California, for two years. From there he served in Vietnam from May 11, 1968, to January 17, 1969.

Richard worked as a truck driver and as a contractor, performing all phases of construction from the foundation up. He was a faithful church member for his adult life, most recently of the Crosspoint Baptist Church in Coralville, Iowa. He loved the Lord and brought up his family in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Richard’s hobby was woodworking and he loved to travel. His favorite vacation was a trip to Branson, Missouri. He especially liked “The Dixie Stampede” show. He said what made that vacation special was because the whole family was able to go together. He said, “The things I love most in my life are my wife, kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children, Carmen (Dan) of Johnson City, Tennessee, Keith (Jamie) of Vicksburg, Michigan, Kim (Dan) of Urbandale, Iowa, Corena (Matt) of Canton, Illinois, Chris (Lizzy) of Owatonna, Minnesota; twenty-one grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren with one on the way; his five brothers, Bill of Sahuarita, Arizona, Jerry (Jill) of Meridian, Idaho, Doug (Betty) of Centerville, Texas, Chris of Brighton, IA, Ren of Valparaiso, Indiana; his step-brothers, Gerald (Donna) Eiffert of Illinois and Jamie (Sandy) Eiffert of Mt. Pleasant, IA.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Richard and Dolores Long; and sister-in-law Priscilla, wife, of his brother, Bill.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday December 30, 2022, at the Brighton First Church of God with Pastor Mike Barr officiating. Burial will follow at Sandy Hook Cemetery north of Brighton. Visitation will be held Thursday December 29, 2022, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Church. Memorials may be left at the church and may be directed to Hospice of Washington County, The Crosspoint Baptist Church of Coralville, Iowa, and the Bibles for Pamela fund, C/O Baptist International Missions, Inc. Pamela Wieler 1338 P.O. Box 9 Harrison, TN 37341; or mailed to the family at 1704 335th Street, Brighton, IA 52540. Gould Funeral Home of Brighton is in charge of arrangements.