MEL LONG,

age 72, of North Canton, passed away Dec. 25, 2015.  Born in Waynesburg, a son of the late Carl and Elva (Parsons) Long, he had been a resident of North Canton since 1985, having previously resided in East Canton and Waynesburg.  Mel was a 1961 graduate of Sandy Valley High School, where he was Valedictorian of his class; he earned his Master's Degree from Malone College in 1992.  Mel worked at Hoover High School as a Biology teacher, head varsity baseball coach, ninth grade football coach, and eighth grade basketball coach.  He also worked with the Louisville Recreation Dept., was a Supervisor at the Pro Football Hall of Fame for nearly 20 years, and supervised student teachers at Malone University.  Mel was an active member of the North Canton Y.M.C.A., had attended Indian Run Christian Church and Louisville Christian Church, was inducted into the Stark Co. Baseball Hall of Fame, the Stark Co. Amateur Sports Hall of Fame, and played in the Canton Class A Baseball League and the Canton Masters 50 and over Baseball Team.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gayle Long, on Dec. 16, 1983. Mel is survived by his wife, Trish Long, three daughters and two sons-in-law: Kelly and Daniel Hegadore, Dana Long, and Heather and Chris Biller; four grandchildren (and one on the way): Megan and Zak Hegadore, Angela Long, and Riley Biller, and two great grandchildren: Kayli and Jordan Deleon. He is also survived by siblings: Myron (Pat) Long, Paul (Nancy) Long, Jane (Denver) Dye, and Janet (Don) Leech, numerous loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, and extended close family members. Services will be held Wed. at 11 a.m. in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with the Reverend Brian Nutt officiating; interment in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Louisville.  Friends may call Tues. from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mel's memory may be made to the Hoover Sideliners, P.O. Box 2184, North Canton, OH  44720.  Condolences may be left at: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com.

Gordon (330)456-4766