Dear Daddy,  It is the first of the month.  Yes, our second one---first in l953, then l965---this would be today's.  I do not know what it is about the first.   I am MAD at you because you had to die on the first also.  You could not have held on for 2 more hours,  NO.   I am not sad that you died--you were ready and God was ready to take you.  I miss you because you were the only stable thing I have had in my 67 years.  You were always there for me and I tried to be there for you.  Now what?  Where do I go, what do I do?   I am going to keep your memory alive for Samuel--he will miss out on so much.   So will you but I just feel you are keeping up on what is going on here on earth.   
I will always remember what you told me when you walked in the front door when Larry was killed,  "the first of the month got us again" (April 1, l998).  Then Eli, July 1 2012----6 years earlier than you.   Is it good that my birthday is also on the first?   
Love and miss you.

Uncle Gerald give me a  chance to sell Vigortone  Ag. Products out of his feed shed in Albion, when I was just a kid in college.   Little did I know that opportunity would change my life.  After college Uncle Gerald's  Field Manager with Vigortone, and with Uncle Gerald recommendation gave me my first job selling Vigortone in south eastern Illinois.  I can't believe that opportunity would last for 24 years starting in Illinois and finishing up as National Sales Manager for Vigortone Ag. Products.  These years with Vigortone are some of the fondest of my work career.  My career allow me and my family to live in many states and to meet many life long friends.  I can't thank Uncle Gerald enough for believing in me and supporting me through out my career with Vigortone.  

Sincerely 
Brian Longbons

I knew Gerald as a quiet man with a big grin and a firm handshake.  I used to tease him about that grin...accusing him of looking like he'd just gotten away with something. The thing that I'll miss most about Gerald is his enthusiasm to pray. During his time in the nursing home, when I'd go for a visit and ask to pray with him, he'd grab my hand and say, "Yes, please!" Then he'd ask me to pray for other family members first before I'd pray for him. Gerald was a good man with a kind, selfless heart, and I'm honored to have known him.

I have known Gerald my entire life.  His granddaughter, Lydia, is my oldest friend, so he has always been a part of my life as well.  I will always remember his kind smile and bright eyes, and how he would always pull me close with a handshake.  He loved to watch my daughter and Lydia's son play together at Samuel's birthday parties.  He thought it was neat that Lydia and I were so close in age, and then we had babies that were also very close in age.

On the Wednesday before he passed, I went to visit him in the nursing home.  I hadn't seen him in a few months, and knew he wasn't doing very well; so I wasn't sure if he would remember me or not.  As soon as I walked in, I could see that he had deteriorated a lot since I had seen him last, and my heart broke.  He was not feeling well and he kept saying "Dear Lord, please help me".  Even in a time when he was hurting, scared, away from home, and not well, he looked at me and said "Hi Tiffany Mann (my maiden name, and how he would always know me)".  He then proceeded to tell me that I lived in the Trapp house (what my house was known as when he knew of it many years ago) and that I was a teacher.  We talked about birthdays and I asked him how old he would be on his next birthday.  He told me and I reminded him that our birthdays were close.  He said "I know, yours is December 19th."  I was shocked and humbled.  

Gerald was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.  I am forever thankful that I went to visit him that week, and that I have that final memory in my heart.

Gerald was a great neighbor and was always very nice to me.  Once when I was in high school I got my dad's truck stuck in the back of Wanboro lake, while I was checking my traps, and I walked to Red Hill Station and saw Rick Etheridge and told him what happened and he drove me to Gerald's house and Gerald fired up the tractor and the three of us went to Wanboro and he pulled me out.  I remember my dad told me Gerald was a really great high school football player.

Daddy, I found this and it needs to be put on your tributes
     Farmer's Passport
A man stood at the pearly gate, his face was lined and old; he stood before the man of fate for admission to the fold.
What have you done, St. Peter asked, to gain admission here?  I've been a farmer, the old man said, for many and many a year.  The pearly gates swung open wide, St. Peter rang the bell.  Enter--choose your harp, he said, you've had your share of hell.


I have a lot of memories of Gerald, and all of them are positive!  I loved his laugh, and his eyes twinkled when he would smile.  I grew up across the street, and Gerald and Leatrice were always great neighbors.   They used to take me to church with them back in the early 70's (when I would go, Lol).  I have a small pocket bible that they gave me that is dated 1973, that I have kept over the years.  As I grew older, I came to know God better and have developed a personal relationship with him.  I'm positive that he put people in my lives like Gerald and Leatrice to help mentor me along!

As I grew older, I would always enjoy visiting with Gerald when I would see him.  He would always have a story about something I did in my childhood.  I know Gerald is in peace now and with no pain.  I look forward to being able to visit with him again someday!

Gerald was such a kind, caring, Christian.  Most of my remembrances center around Little Prairie Christian Church where he was a leader for many years.  He always had a smile and words of encouragement for the young people.  I will always remember his concern for our family when my Dad died suddenly at an early age.  His support meant a lot to my Mother.

When our children Nathan and Jessica joined 4-H, we wanted them to have some farm experiences.    My cousin had dairy goats then and gave each of our children a goat kid.   Nathan named his goat Patty and Jessica named hers Cocoa. I think Gerald (and Bruce) had  some goats at that time.  Anyway, we went to Gerald for advice about care.  Whenever we had a question about the goats,  our neighbor Gerald had the answers. 
He told us that when the horns  started growing, we should call him and he would cut off the horn buds and cauterize the wounds.  He had a box for the goat to be penned in, and an electric "knife."   The deed was done quickly:  the goat just bawled a few seconds.  
I also enjoyed walking by on the road in front of their house and visiting with him if he happened to be sitting in his "meditation chair." He knew a LOT about Wanboro, and I didn't, so it was a pleasure to learn from him. Good guy.

There has never been a time in my life when I did not know Gerald Longbons.   As church leader, friend of my parents, hard working farmer, dedicated husband and father of my close friend, he was always in my life as a positive role model.    While his memory initially provokes very happy thoughts - playing in the tree house he made for Ellen, parties and events at the Longbons’ house, not getting into too much trouble for regularly driving his car before I got my license and visits together in recent years - he always stands tall in my mind as a positive Christian role model who persevered, with faith and dedication, during the most difficult times life had to offer.     


I have very fond memories of Gerald from Little Prairie.  When I attended Lincoln Christian College he was so supportive and always found me when I was home to ask how I was doing.  My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you Ellen, Leatrice and family.  

There are three things that I like about my grandpa.  My grandpa farms, helps me with the lawn mower, and mows his hay field.  To begin with, my grandpa farms in the summer.  When my grandpa has trouble with his tractor he comes to my house.  I go in his combine and watch him shell corn.  Next, he helps me with the lawn mower when it's broke.  He charges the lawn mower up.  He could tell me to slow down.  I went really fast.  Last, he mows his hay field.  Three times a year he mows his hay field.  I can ride through his hay field with my bike.
This was written by Eli in l999 at school.  His teacher was Mrs Kay Roser.

My memories of Gerald go back 60 years. He was our neighbor and after we started attending Little Prairie, we became fellow church members.  I have fond memories of going to the Longbons' house and visiting  and tormenting Ellen. 

I am grateful for the many memories of different life experiences. I am grateful for Gerald's encouragement to those of us who attended Lincoln Christian College.

Gerald was a hard working farmer who loved his family and loved the work he did. I know that he experienced his share of grief through the years, but remained committed to his faith.

I pray for God's comfort for all his family.

When I was about 16 years old, I was helping to get the Pork Day Parade lined up and ready to go.  Mr. Longbons asked if I would like to drive his truck in the parade.  I said, "Sure!"  So he paid me $10 and I drove his truck in the parade while he and the other 2 County Commisioners (Delmar Sample and Jr. Frankland)  sat in lawn chairs in the back of the truck and waved to the crowd.

Dear Leatrice, Ellen and family.  We send our  sympathy and prayers at the passing of Gerald.  We consider him a dear friend who did a lot for the community and Little Prairie Church.  He will be truly missed.  Hold on to all the good memories and continue letting the Good Shepherd lead you through this difficult time!   With all our love.                                   

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Gerald Longbons

16 décembre 1924 – 1 juillet 2018

Ingram Funeral Home

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