Diane Leslie Long

Diane Leslie Long was born July 13, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan; she was the daughter of Edward Tyler and Patricia Neibling. Diane moved with her mother to Tulsa, Oklahoma at an early age where she was raised and attended school. She graduated from Edison High School in Tulsa with the Class of 1965. Upon completion of her high school education, Diane attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. She was married to Keith Long on August 31, 1968 at the First Methodist Church in Tulsa. The couple made their initial home in Tahlequah as Keith was completing his degree in education at Northeastern State. They later moved to Kansas City, Kansas where Keith accepted employment with the Kansas City School System. While residing in Kansas City, the couple had their only child, Gregory. The Long family moved to Cleveland in September of 1972 when Keith began teaching at Cleveland Public Schools. Shortly after moving to Clevleland, Diane and Keith became members of the First Presbyerian Church where they have been actively invovled for nearly thirty-seven years. Diane has served as a deacon in the church as well as a Sunday School teacher and was active in the church choir. Diane was described by her famiy as a loving and caring wife and mother who always placed the needs of her family above her own. Her love for children, led to the operation of her own daycare business in her home in both Tahlequah and Cleveland. She was active in her sonís school years as a den mother in his cub scout troop and in any capacity needed in his classroom. Diane was a past president of the local chapter of LaSertoma, a non-partisan, non-political, non-profit and non-sectarian organization which has focused on youth and community needs, person-to-person assistance, and scholarships for more than 75 years. Additionally, she served as a bell ringer for the red kettle at Christmas for the Salvation Army in the local area for many years; also assisting as a Volunteer to distribute gifts to shut-ins in hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters. Through her efforts, Diane endeavored to bring spiritual light and love to those served at Christmas so that the real meaning of the season is not forgotten. She also assisted in the operation of a clothes closet for many years, assisting in providing clothing for those in need throughout the area. Diane was also active in the local garden club; having developed a love for growing and raising iris, some that had been hybridized from the garden of Dr. M. L. Saddoris. Dianeís hobbies including collections of angels and Toby Mugs, a hobby she shared with her mother who also collected these antiques. These Jugs and Mugs have been around since the early 18th century. They were revived by Royal Doulton in the 19th century, who developed the idea into a range of character jugs. Diane passed away on Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Tulsa at the age of sixty-two. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Carl Nagel, Jr. She is survived her husband, Keith Long of the home; a son and his wife, Gregory Michael and Cheralyn Long of Claremore, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Kayla Roe of Claremore, Oklahoma, Brittany Long of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Joshua Roe of Claremore, Oklahoma; and a brother, Dennis Neibling of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Funeral services will he held at 10:00 am, Friday, August 7, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Sandra Bach officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.