Gregory Dean Long

Gregory Dean Long, 68, of Hemingford, Neb., formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away Feb. 21, 2026, after an extended illness.    
 
Long was born Sept. 8, 1957, to Harold and Eula Long in Independence, where they lived until 1970. The family then moved to Willard, where they purchased a dairy farm. He attended Ash Grove High School and graduated in 1975. 
 
On Aug. 6, 1976, he married the love of his life, Rebecca Mae Whitehead (Reba). They were blessed with almost 50 years of marriage.  They had three children; David, Russell and Kasandra, and eight grandchildren.
 
Long enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, gardening and tending to his cows. Gifted with musical talent, he could play the accordion. He could often be found listening to bluegrass gospel and singing along.
 
As an antique collector, he accumulated many fabulous finds that he added to his stamp and coin collections. In 2022, he moved to Hemingford, Neb. to enjoy retirement and spend time with the kids. Fond of a good joke and willing to be the clown to make others smile, there was hardly a time when he couldn’t make someone laugh.  
 
Long was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eula Long and his son, Russell Long. He is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Long, son David Long and wife Melissa, daughter Kasandra Niemeier and husband Joey, and grandchildren, Wriley, Delilah, Abigail, Archer, Huckleberry, Ember, Bridger, and Charlotte.
 
Services will be held at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home in Ash Grove with visitation from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, and funeral services at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. Graveside service to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Willard.