Vern W. Long, Jr.

Vern W. Long, Jr., 91, of Park Ridge, Illinois, formerly of South Haven, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. He was born June 6, 1928 to Vern and Laura (Moe) Long in Hammond, Indiana. Vern married Marion “Pat” Hunter on July 22, 1950. They shared 54 years of marriage before her passing in May 2004. Vern honorably served his country in the United States Army. Before and after his service, Vern worked for the Ford Motor Company for thirty years, becoming a quality control supervisor before his retirement at age 48. He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church of South Haven.

Vern was well known for his love of antique cars—restoring vintage cars, particularly Ford Thunderbirds of the 1950s, was a passion. His ability to whistle beautifully earned him the nickname of “the whistler.”  He devoted time to running a local food pantry and Meals on Wheels program.  Along with his church friends, Vern made hundreds of blueberry pies for the Blueberry Festival in South Haven every year. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pat, and his 3 siblings – Jean Pitts, Joan Haynes, and John Long.

Vern is survived by his children – Charles (Beryla) Long of Mooresville, North Carolina; Barb (Joseph) Scotese of Chicago, Illinois, and Edward (Virginia) Long of Willowbrook, Illinois; grandchildren – Christopher (Brittany), Cameron, Trevor, Sarah, Kiley, Hunter, and Kerrigan.

A private family committal will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville, Indiana.