Leona Long

Leona Jean (Hines) Long, 84, of Pleasant Valley, her heart stopped beating at 5:07pm on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Adena Medical Center. She was born on August 23, 1926, in Ross County to Leslie and Wilma (Bolles) Hines. She graduated from Centralia High School in 1943. The school is now known as Zane Trace. She worked at the National Fireworks during World War II and then married George Delano Long on April 29, 1945. She then became a stay at home Mom. He passed away on March -18, 1997. She started entering the Ross County Fair in 1990. From 1990 until 2001, with the exception of no entries for two years due to surgeries, she won 20 Best of Shows, 146 first place ribbons, 75 second place ribbons, 51 third place ribbons. She was awarded Homemaker of the Year in 1991, 1996, and 2001. She entered The Ohio State Fair in -1993, 1994, and 1995. She won three Best of Shows, 17 first place ribbons, 16 second place ribbons, and 15 third place ribbons. In 1994 she was first place winner in Open Class Competition for the Sure-Jell Jam and Jellies award. In 1995 she was the first place winner of the Ball Premium Food Preserving award. In August, 1994 the Chillicothe Gazette contacted her to write a food column for their Good Taste page. She accepted and wrote a bi-weekly column from August 1994 until March 1999. She wrote the cookbook, "Mom, Memories, and Blue Ribbons" which is compiled of those columns. She liked to garden, can her own vegetables, make relishes, jams, and jellies. Also bake, cook, read, and crochet. She spent a lot of time taking care of her 49 year old daughter who has cerebral palsy. She is survived by her daughter, Jeri Long and her husband Keith Vermillion of Pleasant Valley, a daughter, Teri Long of Frankfort, and a daughter, Kathy Long, at home. Grandchildren, Sue Ann Carnein, Chillicothe, Ronald Jeffrey Carnein, New Holland, Step Granddaughter, Denise Vermillion, Hilliard, Step Granddaughter, Kasey Vermillion, Fairborn, Special Granddaughter, Kristine (Greathouse) Wallin and her husband Joshua Wallin, Chillicothe, and Special Granddaughter, Tracy (Pritchard) Myers and her husband, James of Laurelville; great-grandchildren, Nina Hammond and her companion, Deon Viney of Columbus, Jason Cottrill and his wife Rachel (Shepherd) Cottrill, Circleville, Christine Myers, Circleville, Jared Myers, Laurelville, Brittany Carnein, New Holland, Brandy Carnein, New Holland, and Paige Wallin, Chillicothe; great-great-grandchildren, Gavin Hammond, Deon and Dayonna Viney (twins), Kamar Viney, Riley Carnein, and very special great-great-granddaughter, Eliana (Ellie) Myers who always made her happy when she came to visit. Her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Anne (French) Hines, Cincinnati, sister-in-law, Shirley Hines, Chillicothe, sister-in-law, Nancy Hines, Chillicothe, many nieces and nephews, and special nephew, on the Long side, John Keefer and his wife, Cyndi, Tipp City. A special neighbor and friend through the years, Shirley Judd. Besides her husband she was predeceased by a daughter and twin sister to Kathy, Karen Jean Long, and a Great Grandson. Also brothers, Warren Hines, and his wife Judy (Chenault) Hines, Willard Hines, James Hines, and John Darrell Hines. There will be no calling hours per her request. There will be a graveside service on Monday, June 13 at 3:00pm with Rev. Jack Norman officiating at Greenlawn Cemetery in Frankfort. Arrangements are under the direction of HALLER FUNERAL HOME. Pallbearers will be men who she watched grow up in Pleasant Valley, Clarence Fisher, Delbert Hyer, Jim Lambert, Mike Westfall, and "special son" Danny Henkle. There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, June 25 at First Church of God, 780 East Water St, Chillicothe, Ohio at 1:00pm. All are welcome to come and share memories. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to Good Samaritan Food Pantry , 133 East Seventh St, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601. She was a good Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Great-Great-Grandma, sister, Aunt, neighbor, and friend. Rest in peace, you have had a hard life, but she was always happy in her heart. This was the poem she opened with in her cookbook. MY FAVORITE ROOM Of all the rooms in my house, I like the kitchen best, "Tis here I spend a lot of time, So come and be my guest. There's coffee perking merrily The cups are on the shelf And you are always welcome So won't you help yourself? Trying out a recipe can be a lot of fun. And from the kitchen window I can greet the morning sun. When friends stop by for a visit Or neighbors come to call They find me in the kitchen My favorite room of all.
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