Obituary of Stephen Long

Stephen R. Long, 69, of State College, died Sunday, December 23, 2012, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born September 1, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio, he was the son of the late Robert G. and Pauline Krauss Long and was reared by his mother and step-father Jack Dupler. On January 25, 1964, he married Carol L. Scheiblich, who survives. Also surviving are five children, Christina M. Dempsey of Florida City, FL, Kevin R. Long of Chicago, Illinois, Kirk J. Long of Spring Mills, Catherine Ann O'Toole and her fiancé, Mathew D. Boring, of Huntingdon, Cynthia L. Chisum and her husband, Dustin, of Ft. Meyers, Florida; two sisters, Anne Bierly and her husband, Michael, of Westlake Village, California, Vickie Goldsmith and her husband, Dan, of Orient, Ohio; Six grandchildren, Dan Dawson, Amber and Karen Dempsey, Adam R. Long, Tanner L. and Colton L. Chisum. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Long, in 2008. Stephen was a 1961 graduate of Pleasant View High School, Columbus, Ohio. He worked at Long's College Book Store while attending Ohio State University. He continued working there until leaving to go on his own to run various college book stores for 35 years. His grandfather, Frank Clark Long, was a farmer, student, book seller and publisher. He paid his initial expenses at Ohio State University by growing and selling pickles. He founded Long's College Book Store and started the international book exchange. Stephen's grandmother, Mary Ethel Manley Long, was an accomplished musician who studied voice in Italy, Austria, France and the United States. She was a coloratura soprano. His birth father, Robert Gordon Long, was known all over the United States as quite an authority on rare books and first editions. Stephen's uncle, Frank Clark Long Jr., gave up his family medical practice to take over and run Long's College Book Store when Frank Sr. passed. Stephen attended Our Lady of Victory Church and was a member of the Seven Mountains Conservation Corp. He collected rare books and autographed first editions. Visitation will be 6 until 8 p.m., Friday, December 26, 2012 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Our Lady of Victory, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with Monsignor David Lockard officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hall Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to ¬¬¬¬Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen Street, State College, PA 16801 or to the Seven Mountains Conservation Corp, 2821 Earlystown Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828 Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.