John H. DeLong
June 23, 1923 ~ April 13, 2016
John H. DeLong, age 92 of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland. Born June 23, 1923 in Warren, PA he was the son of Morrell and Bertha (VanDersluys) DeLong. He married Florence Ray Creighton on August 26, 1950 in Pittsburgh, PA.
John's family moved to North East, PA in 1937 and he spent his childhood in McAllen and San Antonio, TX. He was a pilot in the Army Air Corp during WWII and after his discharge in 1945 he enrolled and graduated from Clarion State College. In 1951 he received his Master's Degree from Penn State. John taught three years at North East High School and in 1953 moved to Madison, Ohio where he accepted a position at Riverside High School in Painesville. Mr. DeLong was employed by Painesville Township Schools for the next 32 years as a teacher, High School Principal and Assistant Superintendent. During the school year 1960 1961 he was awarded a John Hay Fellowship to Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He also completed one year of graduate studies at Western Reserve University and in June 1997 he was inducted into the Riverside High School Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his daughter: Deborah (Stan) Cole; sons: David (Janine) DeLong and Douglas (Sally) DeLong; grandchildren Scott (Samantha), Martha, Chet (Fianc Renee Elicker), Audrey, and Kyle; and his caring companion Brenda Mordush-Waldbauer. Mr. DeLong was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years: Florence; sister: Anne and brother: Richard.
Friends and family will be received from 2 5pm on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street in Madison. A private graveside service will be observed.
In lieu of flowers the family would like contributions to be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110 or the Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094.
Online Obituary and guestbook at www.behmfuneral.com
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Doug, Joe and I send our sympathy to you and your family. Your dad had a special place in my heart as he hired me full-time after being a year substitute. I can remember exactly what I was doing and where I was when he called to offer me the home economics job instead of working with learning disabled students. What a happy day. He was a gem.
My prayers and sympathy to Mr. DeLong's Family. I LOVED Mr. DeLong – he was a super principal and an even greater human being! He was a great combo of firmness and fun in a principal. I think he got the joke about 'Jake Sweeney' before VP LeSeur. Great memories of my times at Riverside (1966 – 1970). Rest in Peace!
He was a great principal,and a pleasant person to talk to.Learned firm yet fair from him.Grafuated in '72,but I always thought him,when I would drive by the school.Always gave me an excused ansence for the opening of deer season in Pa. Just a wonderful man.
Mr Delong was my favorite teacher in HS. I graduated in 1966. He taught US History and Russian History. He inspired me and helped me, and I am very indebted to him. A great person and a great loss.
So sorry for your loss.
I remember him as my principal and a soft spoken and gently man. He is part of the RHS history of outstanding people. What a sad loss to many
I was an AFS exchange student from Malaysia at RHS for the school year 1962-63. I am now settled in Melbourne, Australia with my family. I remember Mr. De Long very well as my American History Teacher. I enjoyed his class tremendously as he has a knack of making history a very interesting subject which otherwise would be very boring to me. I convey my deepest condolences to Mr De Long's family members at this difficult time and may the good Lord give them strength to overcome this difficult period of bereavement. RIP Mr. De Long….
Our condolences to the family.
Jim Bucar RHS 1960 Even now, having retired from teaching nine years ago, I still have vivid memories of “Long John,” a demanding, skillful teacher who inspired respect and imitation. I was glad to tell him (about thirty years ago) that he had inspired me to be a teacher and to reach for his unique style: a blend of suave elegance and casual and warm friendliness. He could quiet unruly teens with just a raised eyebrow, and it would have been a betrayal of his standards of scholarship to take any shortcuts in his classes. He even put up with pranks that Szuhay and I played on him: remember Punjab and the alarm clock. Great guy.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was an inspiration to all his students. What a great guy!!! He deserves a special place in the heavenly teachers' hall of fame.
(You won't remember this, but I used to babysit for you before I moved to Kansas.)
Mr DeLong was a fabulous teacher and mentor to all his students. He was a “class act” in all he did. I had the pleasure to meet him again at a Gyro social function maybe 15 years ago. My condolences to all his family.
Sherry Holden Harris–RHS class of 1964
I was fortunate enough to be a student at Riverside while Mr Delong was Principle. Not only was he the ultimate gentleman but such an outstanding role model for so many. I was pleased to have been a small part of his care when he presented for treatment at the facility where I work. I will miss his visits. My condolences to his family and Brenda.
I have fond memories of John from Riverside High School. I felt honored that I started off my career with a hand shake and a smile from him when he hired me. I'm also thankful to have worked with his son, Doug, who is also a dedicated/conscientious educator/administrator. My prayers will be with his family and loved ones.
Dori and I graduated from Riverside High School in the 70's. We were fortunate to have John Delong as our High School Principal. Both of us remember John as a very fair, honest and caring individual. John will be remembered as a person who cared about his students and their future success. John's family also became great educators, administrators, and role models for our community, Lake County. Farewell, John and thank you for all that you have done.