Lyle M. Long, age 93, of Shawano, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016.
Lyle was born on June 16, 1922 in Wittenberg, the son of the late Millard and Doris (Krause) Long, Sr.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a gunner's mate on the U.S.S Geer.
Lyle saw action in Plieu and Okinawa.
He served four years in the Pacific Theater during the war and as a member of the occupational forces in Japan after the war.
Lyle lived most of his life in the Gresham area.
After his return from the service, Lyle worked for the Ken Heller farm raising Brown Swiss cows and later worked in construction for 65 years until his retirement in 1986. On January 16, 1957 he was united in marriage to Eleonore K. Spihsak.
Eleonore preceded him in death on July 18, 1998.
After retirement, Lyle was active in the American Legion, was a Senior Aide at Shawano County Department of Social Services, enjoyed doing masonary work, hunting and golfing, especially with the Special Olympics.
More than anything, he enjoyed his grandchildren and great-granddaughter and the many special friends he made in his lifetime.
Lyle is survived by:
two daughters, Laura "Molly" (John R.) Soderstrom of Shawano and Kathy (Mike) Dobratz of Clintonville; and four grandchildren, Tiara Soderstrom of Appleton, Kirstyn (Gavin) Gueths of Shawano, David (Tracy) Winter of Gresham, and Tyler Dobratz of Shawano.
He is further survived by one great-granddaughter, Eleonore Gueths of Shawano, one sister, Mildred Lamphear of West Allis and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.
He was preceded in death by:
his wife, Eleonore; one son, Norman "Butch" Sperberg; his parents; four brothers, Don, Algar "Mike", Millard "Bob", and Gary; and two sisters, Ardell McManus and Edith Wilber.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church Stony Hill with Rev. John C. Eyer officiating.
Inurnment will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery Stony Hill with military rites conducted by the Gresham American Legion post #390.
Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family would like to thank Shawano Hospice for their care and support of Lyle
.
