Joyce Long was born on December 16, 1924 at Madrid Nebraska. She was the 2nd of 3 daughters born to Ward E. and Ruby (Mann) Bullock.. Joyce grew up in Madrid where she attended school, graduating from Madrid High School in 1942. Joyce attended Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln for 2 years where she received her teaching certificate. She taught school in Elkhorn for two years and Kearney for one year.
Joyce was married to Bill Long on June 2, 1946 at the Madrid Methodist Church. They lived in Madrid , Alma, and Kearney before Bill attended mortuary school in St. Louis in 1950. They returned to Madrid where they became affiliated with Ward in the funeral home. In 1962 they built the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant where they made their home for 26 years. In 1988 they sold the business to their son. Bill died in 1997 and Joyce continued to maintain her home until 2002 when she moved to a Westview Retirement duplex. In 2005 she moved into the Westview Retirement Center. Joyce lived there until April of this year when she moved to Lincoln to live with her daughter, Barbara. She died at Barbara’s home on July, 20, 2015. She had reached the age of 90.
Joyce had been an active member of the Grant United Methodist Church and the U.M.W., was a current member of the Grant P.E.O., and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her real joy came from raising her children and giving great support to help raise her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her two sisters- Audrey Van Skiver and Mary Jean Wiltse.
She is survived by her 3 daughters- Jeanie Daiss of Grant, Barbara Terwilliger and her companion Mike Henninger of Lincoln, and Beverly (Bill) Zegers of Schuyler ; 2 sons-John (Kris) Long of Grant and Joel (Lisa ) Long of Omaha; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; she was a popular aunt with her nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 24th at 10:30 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Nora Mendyk, officiating. Burial will be in the Grant Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.