Weldon Long

Weldon Norman Long Devoted husband, father, and friend Weldon Norman Long, 81, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Weldon was born on July 26, 1940, to Leslie and Wilma Long. He attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse with one teacher and no running water through the end of eighth grade. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1958. He worked alongside his father and three brothers through his school years and, following graduation, helped run the family dairy farm. In the 1960s, Weldon elected to complete his selective service in 1-W. This choice took him to Denver, Colorado, where he served in a hospital. There, he met his soon-to-be wife, Sharon (Yoder) Long, who was serving as a candy striper in the same hospital. Upon completion of his service in 1-W, Weldon and Sharon were married in Goshen, Indiana, on April 4, 1964 and moved back to Sterling, Illinois where Weldon returned to his home and resumed working on the family dairy farm. This marriage began a lifelong companionship that was filled with lots of hard work and love. They were blessed with three children as they ran "Shar-Wel Farm" for the next 30 years. This farm, which was located next to his brother Leonard's dairy farm, offered a great support system as they helped each other bring in the crops, till the land, and care for the cattle. After selling the farm, Weldon and Sharon moved to Sun City, AZ in 1999. Since Weldon still shared a passion for working the land, he became a spray tech for a local golf course. He enjoyed this work for 20 years alongside his boss and friend Scott McCall. In his free time, he maintained the landscape at home and offered handyman services to neighbors. He had a lot of fun playing the role of host to family and friends who came to visit whether it was playing a round of golf, card games, or just dining and catching up. Weldon and Sharon also discovered a love of Hawaii on their 25th Wedding Anniversary. For the next 30 years, they enjoyed over 25 visits to their second home on the Island of Kauai with both friends and family. Most importantly, though, Weldon felt honored and blessed to be of service in various volunteer positions at church. He even developed his dramatic side while playing Jesus in the local church’s Easter production. Weldon is remembered for his incredible work ethic and perseverance by becoming the third generation to take over and successfully operate the family dairy farm, his willingness to help and serve neighbors and friends, and his steadfast love of family and God. He is honored by his children, Vinson Long, Evon Long, Kriston (Brandon) Sellier, his grandchildren Hunter and Sterling Sellier, and his brothers Leonard (Judy) Long and Vernon (Linda) Long. Preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Long, parents, Leslie and Wilma Long, and his brother Warren Long. We will have a Celebration of Life in Sun City, AZ on Saturday, August 27 and in Sterling, IL on Saturday, October 8. For more information, please email emlong68@gmail.com or ks@id8agency.com.