Elmer "Tom" Long

Elmer Lewis (Tom) Long, age 74 passed away Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 at the Arbor Care Center of Franklin, Nebraska. He was born July 6, 1949 in Mobile, Alabama to Keith and Betty (Holobaugh) Long, the same year his parents moved to Franklin where Keith and his father Lewis opened Long’s Café.

Tom graduated from Franklin High School in 1967. After high school he attended Central Nebraska Tech receiving an Associate Degree in Applied Arts electrical Technology in 1969. Tom was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, pool player and a member of the Franklin Card club for over 25 years.

He was employed at the Right Way grocery store for 27 years through the generosity and kindness of the entire Wilsman family. The same was true for all of the kindness of the Franklin community. Everyone who knew Tom seemed to care and befriend him. He was a polite, well-mannered individual that seldom had a harsh word toward anyone.

Tom was a part of the Lewis Long/Herman Meyer family which in 1958 had 12 family members in the Franklin School System at the same time. He is the last Long to reside in Franklin County from this family that came from Stella, Missouri in the late 30’s.

Tom is survived by two brothers Keith (Buster) Long and wife Jan, McPherson, Kansas and Kenny Joe Long and wife Lona, Kearney, Nebraska; five nieces, two nephews and a host of cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Betty Long and Aunt Martha (Tom) Reppert, raised as his sister, Croton, Maryland.

Tom donated his body to the Nebraska Anatomical Board of the University Medical School for research learning and training. A private inurnment will take place in Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin upon the return of his cremated remains.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Franklin Senior Center where he spent many years playing pool with his friends. Their address is 621 15th Ave., Franklin, NE 68939.

Hutchins Funeral Home assisted the Long family with these arrangements.