REV. LARRY E. LONG

DEXTER -- The Rev. Larry E. Long, 61, a Christian Church Deciples of Christ minister, died at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, Ind., Friday, Oct. 17, 1997.

Long was born Sept. 26, 1936, at Kirksville, son of Roy and Juanita Gilmore Long.

He married Joyce Ann Ayers in Matthews on Sept. 4, 1962. She survives.

He was pastor at the Nineveh Christian Church in Nineveh, Ind., and had served churches in a number of states, including Missouri and Arkansas.

He was a graduate of Charleston High School, attended Southeast Missouri State University, and a graduate of Phillips University at Enid, Okla. He also attended Mid-Continent Bible College in Kentucky and Presbyterian Theological Bible College in Memphis, Tenn.

He trained to be a hospital chaplain in Paducah, Ky. He was a member of the Ministerial Alliance and the Charleston Masonic Lodge and Shrine. He was veteran of the Navy.

Survivors include two sons, Mike Long of Washington, D.C., and Jeffery Todd Long of Cape Girardeau; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Allyn Long.

Service will be at the Matthews Christian Church Wednesday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Walter Simpson of Poplar Bluff officiating. Interment will be in Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the church.

Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter is in charge of arrangements.