Gaylord Leslie Long

    Gaylord Leslie Long, age 92, of Elsie, Michigan, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024, at the University of Michigan -Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns, Michigan.
      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Burial will take place at Fairfield Township Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M.
     Gaylord was born in Elsie, Michigan, on December 8, 1931, the only child of Leslie and Anna (Darling) Long. Gaylord graduated from Owosso High School with the class of 1949, and married his high school sweetheart Shirley Seelhoff on August 19, 1950.
      His life work was a dairy farmer for 43 years. After retirement in 1992, he and Shirley spent their winter months in Zephyrhills, Florida where he was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing cards. He was a great sports fan rooting for Michigan teams and enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Pistons. He loved playing fast pitch softball with his children and friends. He also enjoyed polka dancing. His most enjoyment was watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their school sporting events.
      He is survived by his wife Shirley Long of Elsie, MI; three sons: David and Sally Long of Elsie, MI; Dennis and Carolyn Long of Elsie, MI; and Douglas Long of Ovid, MI; and twin daughter, Debra Long of Elsie, MI. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Mike (Valerie) Long, Amy (Brad) Long-Carman, Christi Stenger, Brad (Kerri) Long, Travis (Sandy) Long, and Heidi (Randy) Uresti; fourteen great-grandchildren: Cayleb, Dylan, Braxton, Nicholas, Myah, Ellyanna, Hunter, Owen, Oliver, Emmylou, Griffin, Mitchell, Grace, and Ian. He was predeceased by his parents, and twin daughter, Darlene.
 Memorials may be made to Ovid-Elsie Sports Boosters. 8989 East Colony Road, Elsie, Michigan 48831 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.