Kenneth "Papa" Long

Ken Long had a recipe for everything. He could cook delicious dinners for two or two hundred, for his loving wife or the church groups he loved so much. Each of his recipes carried the same secret ingredient he instilled in everything he did - the powerful love he had for all those around him. As great a cook as Ken was, he was an even better husband, father, grandfather and friend, whose love and memory fills the hearts of all who knew him. Ken's story began on a warm summer day in 1944, in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were such tumultuous times around the globe, as the turmoil of World War II brought so much hardship on so many people. Despite the dark days, Orville "Ken" and Marie (Palcich) Long found reason to celebrate on June 8, 1944, a sunny Thursday, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Kenneth. Ken joined his older sister, Kenda, and younger brother, Terry, in the family's Muskegon home. When Ken was just a young boy, however, his father passed away. Ken would always remember him as a very loving man, who loved to have fun with his children. After Ken's dad passed away, Marie was remarried to Don Caswell, who raised the children as well as his daughter, Dee. Eventually Ken graduated from Muskegon Heights High School, just as the conflict in Vietnam was entering its peak. Ken enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving stateside as well as in Okinawa during the war. One day when Ken was home on leave, he met a beautiful young woman named Linda Cowles. Ken's mother and Linda's mother were friends from their church, and plotted to have their children date. So on Memorial Day, May 28, 1965, an unseasonably cool Monday in Muskegon, they had their first date. It seemed mother knew best, too! Ken and Linda quickly fell madly in love, and got engaged just over a week later, on Ken's birthday! Ken had to leave his new fianc to return to the base in Dover, Delaware, but the two were soon married, on September 26, 1965, and the newlyweds lived on the base in Dover until the following year, when they returned to Muskegon. Linda resumed her career as a buyer at Hardy Herpolsheimer's, while Ken took a job as an collections officer at Hackley Bank, beginning a long career in banking. In March of 1970, the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, their daughter Joellen. Then in May of 1974, their son Todd rounded out the very happy family. Ken was such a proud and devoted father, and so thrilled to be a dad. In 1976, Ken took a job as a loan officer in Big Rapids, so the family packed up and moved north. It was in Big Rapids that Ken first shared his lifelong love for fishing with his children, helping make it their beloved hobby, as well. He started them off with the basics, using paper clip hooks for practice! Later in life, he'd share his love of fishing with his granddaughters, too. After two years in Big Rapids, the family moved back to Muskegon, buying a beautiful home on Ann Street, where they lived the rest of their days. They resumed their life in Muskegon seamlessly, Ken returning to his bank job, and the family resuming their active fellowship at the First Lutheran Church. Their faith was an important ingredient in the family's life, and their church was the center of much of their activity. Ken served on every board and committee he could, played on the church baseball and bowling teams, and of course, cooked more dinners than he could count! Whenever a dinner was needed, Ken's phone would ring, and he'd happily offer to help. Whether it was the Wednesday night dinners, for the Vacation Bible School, or any other special programs, they could always count on Ken to handle the cooking! Ken also was very active in the SHOP (Seniors Help Our Parish) program, which met every Tuesday to help care for the church. He and Linda were also very active in the DeColores program, a Christian renewal movement. The couple made their first weekend trip in 1985, and were permanent fixtures in the group ever since. Ken also became a Rector of his own DeColores weekend in 2002, and was on the original board for Deco-Tec, aimed at getting teenagers involved, and was Lay Director for No. 25. Ken was particularly great with that group, being able to identify with teenagers through his fun-loving nature and easy demeanor. If all that weren't enough, Ken was also active in Junior Achievement, and was a volunteer firefighter for Muskegon Township #2. Ken's life wasn't without its challenges. In 1995, he was diagnosed with a genetic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, causing him to take early retirement. He stayed at home, and of course, Linda never had to cook again! His retirement also gave him more time for his many hobbies, from playing cards, to reading, watching the Tigers or Pistons, and collecting antiques. Ken had an extensive (and impressive) collection of Pez candy dispensers. In 2003, Ken fulfilled a lifelong dream, when he bought a 1972 Ford LTD convertible, a beautiful classic car. Ken always had an appreciation for the classics, and especially classic oldies music. His son often would come home and find Dad listening to the stereo. "Todd, come here and listen to this," he'd say, passing on a love for music to his son, who plays in a band today. Sadly, in 2000, Ken and Linda's first grandchild, Mackenzie, died at birth, which was a terrible blow for the whole family. Ken was a rock for Joellen and Jeff, and to thank the staff at the hospital for all their care, he baked them all cookies. The family's sadness was met with joy at the births of Ken's granddaughters, Madison and Megan, who made him so happy and proud. They called him "Papa," which couldn't have made him happier, and he of course, doted on them. They made posters for him, for all the reasons they love him. Because he "made chocolate chip pancakes ... gives me M and cookies at church ... he loves to spend time with me ... he dances like a ballerina!" Every summer for the last six years, the whole family rented a cottage on a different lake. Ken of course planned the menus, bought the food and did all the cooking while they were there. It was such a memorable, special tradition for all of them, especially Ken. Ken and Linda faced more challenges in recent years. Linda was diagnosed with serious, stage 4 melanoma a few years ago, and because her health was so precarious, the couple had a huge, 39th Anniversary party in 2004 at the church. Blessedly, Linda recovered. But in October of 2006, Ken was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. They remained hopeful, after what Linda had survived, and the heart trouble Ken survived. So sadly, Ken went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the age of 62. Ken was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life so full of family, friendship, and of course, food. He could cook anything, making it all with the same secret ingredient he put into everything: his powerful, limitless love. Ken was a master at filling our bellies, but his memory, and his love, fills the hearts of all who knew him. He will be so greatly missed. Ken is survived by his wife of 41 years, Linda; son, Todd Long of Muskegon; daughter, Joellen (Jeff) Ball of Spring Lake; 2 grandchildren, Madison & Megan Ball; mother, Marie Caswell of Muskegon; sister, Dee (Ken) Jones of Newaygo; brother, Terry (Susan) Long of Ionia; brother-in-law Doug (Virginia) Cowles of Las Vegas, NV; mother-in-law, Marva Cowles. He was preceded in death by his father, Orville Long; step-father, Don Caswell; sister, Kenda Phillips and his granddaughter, Mackenzie Ball. Services are Saturday, May 19, 2007, 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with Rev. William Uetricht officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and Saturday, 1 hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Long family, Harbor Hospice or the First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. You may sign the online guest book at www.lifestorynet.com Clock - Muskegon.