Wendy Wildman Long, Warsaw, passed away at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2017, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, at the age of 62, surrounded by her family. She was born on Sept. 2, 1954, in Bremen, to Lorabel Ferverda and Harold Rex Wildman, who survive in Warsaw. She was the only daughter, and her four brothers — Steve (and wife Susan) Wildman, Boulder, Colo.; and Kent (and wife Roxanne) Wildman, Brent (and wife Karen) Wildman and Rod (and wife Nancy) Wildman, all of Warsaw — survive her. On June 16, 1979, in Winona Lake, she was married to Robert "Bob" Long, who survives in Warsaw. She and Bob had two children, Nathan and Laura Long. Laura resides in Warsaw and Nathan resides in Goshen with his wife, Rebekah, and Wendy's three beloved grandchildren, Paul, Rachel and Hannah. Her stepson, Steven Long, also survives in Warsaw, and his children, Garrett and Kaiah Long. Wendy graduated from Taylor University with degrees in French, Spanish and English, and earned her master’s degree in education from Indiana Purdue University, Fort Wayne. She started her career as a French teacher at Whitko High School and eventually became the director of language programs for Warsaw Community Schools. She was passionate about her career and spent her 40 years in education advocating for students who didn't have a voice to advocate for themselves. She was extremely active in her faith and enjoyed spending time at her home on Winona Lake with her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and nana. She will be greatly missed. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Wendy’s life at her memorial service, which will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Warsaw Community Church, 2300 Ranch Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Denny Wilson. Visitation will be prior to the memorial service from 3-7 p.m. Burial will be at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Arrangements are entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. ***** Memorials to the University of Michigan Scleroderma Research Fund, Scleroderma Program, 7C27 NIB, 300 N. Ingalls Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, and would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
