Mary Longnecker

Kerrville Mary E. Longnecker, 98, of Kerrville, Texas, died Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital in Kerrville. Mary was born to Grace and Harry Whitesel in Randolph County, Indiana, on July 31, 1909, near Winchester, Indiana. She grew up on a farm with eight brothers and one sister. She was next to the oldest. Mary is survived by two of her brothers, Lowell E. Whitesel of Johnstown, Ohio, and Paul C. Whitesel of Thorton, Colorado. Mary is also survived by four of her five children: Joan A. Dortch of Loveland, Colorado, Margaret Wicken of Milwaukie, Oregon, and Dennis J. Longnecker and Keith Longnecker of Kerrville, Texas. Her son, James L. Longnecker, died in 2002. Mary is also survived by eleven grandchildren, twenty greatgrandchildren, and one greatgreat grandchild.Mary married Marian Lowell Longnecker in 1927. They were married 49 years. Marian died in 1976. Mary worked for the U.S. Army Signal Corp. during World War 2 in Dayton, Ohio. In 1944, the family moved to Eaton, Ohio, where they had a farm machinery store. In 1959, Mary, her husband, and two of the children moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where they managed several beach motels.Mary also worked briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals during their spring training. In 1977, she moved to Dallas, Texas, to be with her three sons. For the next several years, until she was 80, she worked for a pathology laboratory in Dallas, where she was in sales and also a courier. In January, 2005, Mary and her son, Dennis, moved to Kerrville, Texas, where they became members of First Presbyterian Church. In March of 2007, they moved into a new home in the Legion Hills subdivision of Kerrville.Mary loved growing flowers and was extremely fond of animals. She loved to watch the deer. Her dog, Sandy, will miss her.ation will be on Tuesday, April 1, from 5:007:00 p.m., at Kerrville Funeral Home, 1221 Junction Hwy., Kerrville, Texas.On April 4, at 10:00 a.m. a private inurnment service will be held for the family at the Columbarium at First Presbyterian Church, after which a memorial service will be held in the sanctuary, followed by a reception in Ryan Hall.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pastors Discretionary Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson, Kerrville, Texas 78028.Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Funeral Home. 830 8955111

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