Mervy Long

Mervy J. Long, 89, of Bozeman, passed away, Saturday, August 23, 2008. He was born December 21, 1918 in Lewistown, MT the son of John and Leona C. (Philipps) Long. Mervy was raised on a homestead 11 miles north of Winnett, MT. He and his family moved from the homestead in the early 30#8217;s to Gallatin Gateway. Mervy graduated from Holy Rosary Catholic High School in 1937. After his graduation he attended Montana State College for a year before moving to Washington DC to work for the Civil Service Commission Mervy served in the US Army during WWII from 1942- 1945, serving in the Bismark Archipelago, New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. Following his honorable discharge he went back to work at the Civil Service Commission in Washington DC were he met Eileen Ennion. They were married June 26, 1948 in North Billerica, MA. They made their home in Washington DC until 1950. In 1950 they moved to the Gallatin Valley and Mervy took over the operation of his father#8217;s Dairy Farm in Gallatin Gateway. Mervy and Eileen raised their 4 children in the Gallatin Valley. Mervy was a dairy farmer until the late 1970#8217;s; he then worked at the Saw Mill in Belgrade and also at the Gallatin Farmers Co-Op in Belgrade and Bozeman. Mervy and Eileen moved into Bozeman in 1986 when Mervy retired. Together they enjoyed traveling all over the country to visit family and friends. Their favorite trip was to Victoria BC. Eileen passed away November 12, 1991. Mervy had known the Schwab family most of his life, Mervy married RoseMary Schwab Keenan on July 18, 1992 at Resurrection Catholic Parish in Bozeman. Mervy and RoseMary purchased a motor home, and traveled extensively, also spent 4 winters in Arizona. As well as traveling Mervy enjoyed cribbage and woodworking. He was a member of Resurrection Parish, the Knights of Columbus and was an active parent when his children attended Holy Rosary Catholic High School. Survivors include his wife RoseMary Long of Bozeman; 4 children Rosemary (Tom) Shively of Helena, MT, Ray (Lorraine) Long of Casper, WY, Ellen (Charles)Gibson of Rosemark, TN and John (Becky) Long of Renton, WA; 6 stepsons Kevin (Jocelyn) Keenan of Grand Junction, CO, Pete (Sally) Keenan of Salt Lake City, UT, Rick Keenan of Portland, OR, John (Jennifer) Keenan of Portland, OR, Bill Keenan of Spokane, WA, Rob (Janet) Keenan of Greeley, CO; 10 grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren and 2 frac12; great grandchildren; his sister Mabel Rose Gamino of Oklahoma City, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Mervy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Eileen, and brother-in-law Joseph Gamino. Visitation starting at 6:00pm, A rosary service at 6:30, followed by the Vigil service at 7:00 on Monday, August 25, 2008 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. The funeral mass will be held 10:00 am, Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at Resurrection Parish, followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.