Elberta P. Long

Elberta Long ended her journey on earth April 20 and has entered into heaven to be with her Lord and Savior forever. Elberta was born December 02, 1924 in Manila Arkansas. She was the daughter of George and Clara (Haughn) Clay. Elberta is survived by her husband Roscoe, three children, Kay (Ken) Lehmann of Benton Harbor, MI, Leland (Mary) Long of Westminster Colorado, Cody (Ginger) Long of Mt. Vernon, Ohio and a sister Harriett (Ron) Hagen of Marion, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by a brother, Calvin, a sister, Mary (Williams) and two grandchildren, Shaya Long and Rebecca Caston. She has 7 grandchildren; Tami (Tony) Guilbault, Karin (John) Caston, RaeAnn (Brian) Mock, David (Janette) Long, Kevin (Alysia) Lehmann, Amos (Lisa) Long, Ian (Erin) Long, and 12 great grandchildren; Jakob & Evan Guilbault, Sydni & Caleb Mock, Adam, Andrew & Rachel Long, Carter & Addison Lehmann, Mikayla Long, Amelia & Emery Long. She was known lovingly as “Aunt Butter” to many nieces, nephews and close friends and will be missed greatly. Elberta managed the St Joseph Chicken Coop and was actively involved in mentoring young people. She was a member since 1956 of the First Assembly of God church in St. Joseph, Michigan where she served in a number of capacities, including Women’s Ministries and teaching Sunday School classes for many years. She and Roscoe were married on October 26, 1942 in Manila, Arkansas. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage, during which time they enjoyed traveling, especially the Holy Land, their grand children and great grandchildren and their many accomplishments. They had a deep love of counseling and Bible study, of which many were privileged to share. All who enjoyed her sunny disposition, her wise counsel as well as her love of sewing, reading, gardening and especially, roses will miss Elberta. Friends and family may call at the Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road St. Joseph Michigan on Tuesday April 22 from 5-8pm & Wednesday from 10:30 -11:30 A.M.. The funeral service will be at 11:30 am at the funeral home on Wednesday April 23, officiated by Reverend Doug Hoyh. A luncheon and time of fellowship and remembrance will follow. Entombment will be at North Shore Memory Gardens. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to either the Lakeland Hospice or Lakeland Hospital – Cardiac Unit. Friends and family who cannot make the service are encouraged to leave messages online at www.starks-menchinger.com