Published: November 12, 2009 11:37 pm         

Taylor J. Long

Taylor J. Long, 85, of Terre Haute died Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, 2009 in his residence with his family present. He was a retired Terre Haute City Police Officer and was well-known as a car salesman, having retired from the former Krueger Buick Auto Dealership and also operated several car lots around Terre Haute. He was born May 6, 1924 in Terre Haute to John Taylor Long and Alberta Ligon Long.

Survivors include his wife, Lea Reyher-Long; seven sons, Jeffrey Long (Janice), Michael Long (Helen), Patrick Long (Sandy), Stephen Long (Lisa), Barton Long and John Long (Cathy) all of Terre Haute, Tim Long (Marsha) of Terre Haute; four daughters, Linda A. Long, Kerry Lawson (Michael), Bettie Ann Long and Bridget Boling (Ken), all of Terre Haute; 36 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Kay Reyher Beehler of Annapolis, Md., Stephen Cooksey (Valerie), of Annapolis, Md., Mark M. Reyher (Janna), of Terre Haute, Michael W. Reyher (Susan), of Villa Rica, Ga., Kehrt C. Reyher (Marzenna) of Warsaw, Poland, and William L. Reyher of Tallapoosa, Ga.; seven stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. Also surviving are four brothers, Carl R. Long (Ronda), Ralph Long and Larry Long (Becky) all of Terre Haute and Louis Long (Sue) of Girard, Ill.; one sister, Rita Coleman-Alsop (George) of Terre Haute; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary E. “Betty” Coyne Long; one brother, Tommy Long; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.

Taylor was a graduate of Gerstmeyer High School and served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and a former member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 40 and the Fraternal Order of Police. Taylor was a NASCAR racing fan and liked baseball. He was a caring, loving father and husband and was loved by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 in St. Patrick Church, 1807 Poplar Street, with Father Rick Ginther officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary Service to take place at 7:30 p.m. in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, if friends should so desire memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen, 1807 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803.