Stanley Long

Age 91 of Wilmington, Illinois died peacefully on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at his home.

Born February 24, 1934 in Bennett, Nebraska, Stanley Bruce was a son of Charles and Elsie (Gee) Long. He was raised in Nebraska and graduated from High School in Beaver, Oklahoma. Following High School, Stanley served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1957. On February 22, 1958, he married Sandra Sue Kranz and together they shared 52 years of marriage until her passing in 2010.

Stanley began his career with Northern Petrochemical in Iowa, before relocating to Texas and then Illinois in 1971. He worked as a processing technician at LyondellBassell in Morris until his retirement after 35 years of dedicated service. Stanley was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He had a beautiful singing voice and shared that love not only with his church family but with the public through a local community choir. Stanley was also a big fan of the Wilmington Wildcat football team and was proud to be a "Cat Backer". He instructed Judo while living in Texas, and found great peace in being outdoors. Whether it was fishing, gardening, or going for a long walk, Stanley was happiest when he could be out in nature. He also took great pleasure in traveling all around the world with his wife, as well as a special trip to the Boundary Waters along the Canadian border in Minnesota with his grandsons.

Stanley was a family man who never said a bad thing about anyone. He had a great sense of humor, and was a lover of all living creatures, especially his dogs. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends who were blessed with his love for his 91 years.

Survivors include his daughters: Regina (Greg) Bauer of Wilmington, Mila Morrison of Wheaton, IL, Wendy (Kevin) Gorges of Wilmington, and Nikki (Brad) Haase of Bradley, IL; six grandchildren: Bradley (Nicole) Bauer, Josh (Miriam) Wilkes, Jacob (Jayme) Long, Madison Gorges, Nicholas (Makenzie) Redmond, and Teagan Haase; five great grandchildren: Jovie, Margot, Cody, Liana, and Lainey; one sister-in-law, Jennifer (the late Jim) Price, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife Sandra; one son, Robert Long; mother and father-in-law, Walter and Helen Kranz; seven brothers and sisters: Robert, Gerald, Ivan, Rosalie, Eloise, Lowell, and Dean; and his brother-in-law: Gary (Joyce) Kranz.

The family will receive friends at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Friday, November 28, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Paul Carlson will officiate, and interment with full military honors will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Stanley's memory to Grace Lutheran Church, 907 Luther Drive, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guestbook, upload photographs, and share Stanley’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)