Visitation:
Thursday, August, 10, 2023
4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Secor Funeral Home
Willard, Ohio
Service:
Friday, August 11, 2023
12:00 p.m.
St. Francis Catholic Church
Willard, Ohio
Laetta G. Long a 100-year-old resident of Willard passed away on Sunday, August 6 with her family present at the Willows at Willard.
She was born on January 25, 1923 to Charles and Eda (Kessler) Meyer and had been a resident near Havana, Ohio for the major part of her life with her husband Albert J. Long. She retired from the Faulhaber Company in Monroeville after 32 years of service. She was a former member of the St. Sebastian Catholic Church and the Altar Rosary Society in Bismark, Ohio.
Laetta is survived by one son, David Long of Willard: two daughters, Agnes Balduff of Norwalk and Kathy Frederick and son-in-law Dr. Joseph Frederick of Pemberville, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Albert Long; her parents Charles and Eda (Kessler) Meyer, two brothers, Harvey and James Meyer, one sister Alice (Shorty) Ruffing and also sons-in-law John Clayton and Lloyd Balduff, grandson, Mark Frederick and daughter-in-law, Diane Long.
She has seven grandchildren: Amy (David) Weisenberger, Beth (Rick) Fritz, Laurie (Kim) Haughawout, John H. (Sue) Clayton, Eric (Angel) Long, Hilary (James) Crawford and Joseph (Tara) Frederick. She had fourteen great grandchildren and ten great, great grandchildren. She was a loving, patient, kind and wonderful mother grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother.
She and Albert loved to perch fish in Lake Erie. As a child she enjoyed fishing in the Huron River with her brothers, sister and often times her Grandma Kessler. She purchased her last fishing license at the age of 93 and caught fish, when she was on a retreat at Lakeside, Ohio with other residents of the Willows.
Laetta loved her garden where she grew vegetables and her favorite flowers. She watched her garden and the fields grow each season. She loved to read books, magazines and at least two newspapers daily. As an avid Cleveland Indians (Guardians) fan she rarely missed a game. Go Tribe! During the winter she kept a jigsaw puzzle on the table, but any time of year she enjoyed playing dominoes-and she played to win!
Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She loved every holiday, picnic, graduation and wedding. Her special joy was having her great and great, great grandchildren climb on her lap. Laetta loved taking a ride and watching the clouds as she predicted the weather.
When she celebrated her 100th Birthday she received over 200 birthday cards, many with a special greeting from family and friends. She was also honored with birthday congratulations from Ohio Governor Mike De Wine and President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. The U. S. Railroad Retirement Board sent her a Certificate of Achievement. Her special day was spent celebrating with family and friends at the Havana Tavern.
The family wishes to thank the Willows at Willard and Southern Care Hospice for their excellent care, visits, kindness and comfort. If you wish to make a contribution you may do so to the St. Francis Xavier Church/School or to Southern Care Hospice.
Friends and family are welcome to gather on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Secor Funeral Home in Willard, Ohio. Laetta’s Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Willard, Ohio, with Father George Mahas officiating. Burial will take place at St. Sebastion Cemetery in Bismark, Ohio. Online condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com