George Long
Brighton | Save
George David Long, 93, passed away on September 14, 2026, in the Reflections Memory Care section of the Villas of Holly Brook in Jerseyville after a very lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.
He married Shirley Belt on August 27, 1982 and they had 44 years of great memories. Together they traveled to all 48 contiguous states, as well as Canada, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Holland. George loved to travel - as well as planning their routes and places of interest to visit! George and Shirley met at Winchester where they both worked, and the rest is history! He was also very proud of serving in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed all two years at Camp Gordon, Georgia; he served in the Signal Corp.
He entertained everyone with his many stories - hilarious stories of coworkers as well as his very vivid memories of his childhood on Alby Street. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and once flew from Atlanta to St. Louis with Stan Musial sitting right behind him. And on Babe Ruth’s final visit to Sportsmans Park in St. Louis, he was being driven out of the ballpark into the street where George was standing and Babe waved at George. He was the only kid standing in that area, so he knew Babe was waving at him. That was a wonderful lifelong memory for George. He also recalls seeing Robert Wadlow, Alton’s own “Gentle Giant” at least once as a child in downtown Alton.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley (Belt) Long and their son, David J. Long, both of Brighton, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his Parents, David Emmet and Margaret (Schwab) Long of Alton. George grew up on Alby Street in Alton, and attended the “Old Cathedral” (Ss. Peter & Paul) parochial school 1st through 8th grade and graduated with the 1950 class at Marquette High School, also in Alton. He seemed to know a lot of Alton’s history and was a great storyteller.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 23rd, from 4pm-6pm. A private burial will be accorded in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a Mass memorial.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
