Lewis "Fred" Longerbone, age 83 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis following a very brief illness.  He was born November 7, 1935 in Elwood, the son of Chester and Ethel (Austin) Longerbone.  He was a 1953 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School, and later attended Fort Wayne Business College where he received an Associate Degree in business.  Fred married the love of his life, Harriett G. Gilley, on February 26, 1957, and they shared over 61 years of marriage together.  Fred was a 3 ^rd generation owner of his family's grocery store, Longerbone's Grocery and Meat Market in Elwood.  He worked there all of his younger life until it closed and then went to work at Delco Remy in Anderson for a short time.  He later became employed for the Indiana State Highway Department in the Tipton district as a parts supervisor for 12 years until he retired in 2000.  Fred attended the First United Methodist Church in Elwood.  He was a member of the Elwood Lions Club, Quincy Masonic Lodge #230, Murat Shrine Club, and the Scottish Rite.  Fred especially enjoyed owning many types of cars throughout his lifetime and enjoyed buying cars often.  For several years, he and Harriett enjoyed spending winters in Nokomis, Florida.  Fred was also an avid and devoted I.U. Sports fan.  He was known as being a kind and gentle person who was friendly to everyone he met.  More than anything, Fred treasured his family whom he loved very much.

Fred's family legacy includes his wife, Harriett Longerbone of Elwood; son, Mark (wife Diane) Longerbone of Fishers;  2 grandchildren, Andrew (wife Courtney) Longerbone of Lafayette, and Steven Longerbone of Peru; 6-week old great-grandson, Connor Longerbone of Lafayette; nephew, David (wife Diane) Jack of Anderson; and special cousin, Jane Matchett of Cincinnati. Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Dorothy (and husband Allen) Jack.

A funeral service celebrating Fred's life will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 12, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Doug Bohall of the First United Methodist Church officiating.  The funeral will begin with a Masonic Memorial Service by the Quincy Masonic Lodge.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday prior to the funeral at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to First United Methodist Church through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.