DURANT, Iowa — Gary M. “Coach” DeLong, 73, died on Jan. 4, 2016, at his home. Born Oct. 2, 1942, in Cedarvale, he was raised by his loving mother Doris (Hampton) Gray. In 1960, he graduated from Claflin High School, then graduated with his teaching degree from Fort Hays State College in Hays. On April 12, 1969, he married Dixie Ann Hertach in Claflin.
Mr. DeLong proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1964 to 1970.
Gary is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Dixie, and their children, Tara (Rick) Lindsay, Ross (Dr. Rebecca) DeLong, Michael (Erin) DeLong and Steven DeLong (Ruth) all of Durant, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Drew, Nolan, Isabelle, Owen, Elsie, Jack and Haylee; his brother Jim (Jane) DeLong of Great Bend; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother; and his brother Kenneth Montgomery.
Memorial Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilton, Iowa. Inurnment will take place at the Durant Cemetery, Durant, Iowa. Memorial visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilton, Iowa. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Gary DeLong Memorial Fund. Online remembrances and condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bentley Funeral Homes Inc.*
P.O. Box 817; 1001 6th St.
Durant, IA 52747-0817
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 6, 2016