R. Steve Long

Robert “Steve” Long, 77, “just a little boy from Uhrichsville,” passed away in Aultman Hospital at Canton on August 10, 2017.

Steve was born on July 6, 1940, in Uhrichsville to the late Chester Carl and Mary Francis (Stoutt) Long. After graduating in 1958 from the former Uhrichsville High School, he continued his formal education at Ohio University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

At age 16, Steve began working at the former Evening Chronicle in Uhrichsville. He then worked for The Times-Reporter, retiring in 2006 as the editorial page editor.

Steve served his country as an officer in the 3rd Armored Division in West Germany before serving four years with the U.S. Army Reserve and five years with the Air National Guard as a Captain.

Steve devoted his career and life to his community. He was very passionate about the arts, contributing thousands of hours to the Deersville Community Theater and The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County, where he participated in a variety of roles including acting. Steve was also a Civil War expert. He loved to share his knowledge with students throughout Tuscarawas County through his slide presentations about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth. Steve was an active member of the Tuscarawas County Civil War Roundtable.

Steve also had a gift for writing and performing murder mysteries, completing 17 scripts.

Most importantly, Steve was devoted to his loving wife, the former Roxie A. Murphy, since marrying on November 27, 1993. He also was adored by his children, Scott Long of Austintown, O., Tom (Lisa) Long of Mineral City, Stevie Long of New Philadelphia, David (Lanette) Smith of Web City, Missouri, and Todd (Veronica) Smith of Gardner, Kansas.

Steve’s “Eight and a Great” will also deeply miss their grandfather including Kaylee, Nathan, Marissa, Josie, Andy, Elijah, Lacie, and Katie Grace; and his great-grandson, Benson.

In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in passing by his first wife, Susan, in 1989; and his grandson, Alex.

Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. A service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home, followed by burial at Union Cemetery in Uhrichsville. Friends and family are invited back to the funeral home’s hospitality center where a meal will be shared following the committal service.

The family welcomes food contributions for the meal, which can be delivered to the Geib Funeral Center anytime Tuesday morning.