Marlyn Louise Long, age 78, of Independence, Kansas, passed away at her home on March 29, 2026. She was born on August 9, 1947 in Howard, Kansas to Joseph and Bertha Marie (Peninger) Light.
She grew up in Elk County and attended the Howard Public Schools with the Class of 1965. On November 25, 1964, she married Ray Weaver in Howard with whom she shared four children, Ronda, Sherry, Denece, and Jason. The couple divorced in March 1976. Marlyn later married Thomas Wilbur Long on December 3, 1977 in Burden, Kansas and gained two additional children, Nickie and Josh. Together, Marlyn and Tom shared 48 years of marriage and built a life in Independence, Kansas.
Marlyn moved from many years of babysitting to a two-decade career at Standard Motor Manufacturing. She was also a member of and regularly attended the First Assembly of God Church in Independence, Kansas. She enjoyed spending time with her family, raising goats and going to the goat sale with her husband, and watching her many children and great-grandchildren in their various sports and activities.
Those left to cherish her memory include her six children, Jason Weaver of Salina, Kansas, Ronda Rae Modich of Independence, Kansas, Sherry Lynn (John) Miller of Sedan, Kansas, Denece Marie (Robert) Ward of Golden, Missouri, Nicki Lorraine (Vance) Poe of Oswego, Kansas, and Joshua Bryant Long of Havana, Kansas; one sister, Barbara Jo Smith of Eureka, Kansas; 28 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Larry Wayne Light; her brother-in-law, Jim Smith; her son-in-law, Henry Modich; and two grandchildren, Caytlon Annatte Wheeler and Christian Edward Wheeler.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 2414 N. 8th Street, Independence, Kansas 67301. Memorials are suggested to assist the family with expenses and may be left at the service or mailed to Potts Funeral Home, 122 S. Penn, Independence, Kansas 67301. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.pottsfuneralhome.com.
(taken from the Potts Chapel website)