In Memory of

Class of 1943
Sep 26, 1925 - Apr 15, 2008

Robert (Bob) Ellsworth DeLong, 82, of Vinton passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2008. He was born September 26, 1925, the son of the late Thomas DeLong and Fannie Hogan DeLong. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel DeLong and Sherman DeLong, and stepson, Calvin Ritter. He was a graduate of William Byrd High School and a veteran who served in the United States Army during World War II. He retired from Frank Ix and Sons in Lexington, N.C. Surviving are wife, Nora R. DeLong, of Vinton; brother, Melvin DeLong and wife, Pat, of Vinton; three stepsons, Charles Ritter and wife, June, of Vinton, Curtis Ritter and wife, Jean, of Huntington, W.Va., and Robert Ritter and wife, Karen, of Huntington, W.Va.; step daughter-in-law, Joyce Ritter Gearhart, of Vinton; seven step grandchildren, Tony Ritter and wife, Debbie, Debbie Kelly, Johnny Ritter, Corey Ritter and wife, Yvonne, Genise Douglas and husband, Shaun, Tracey Minnix and husband, Danny, and Kayley D. Ritter; 12 greatgrandchildren; very special friends, Tommy and Betty Smith, of Asheville, N.C., Brandon Smith, of Cary, N.C., and Keith Thomas, of Linwood, N.C.