Thomas Franklin Long, 82, of Macon, Missouri, passed away Tuesday (June 11, 2012) at his home.

The son of Wilbur and Cora (Gladhill) Long, he was born November 24, 1930 in Kirksville, Missouri. On September 24, 1949 in Kirksville, Missouri, Frank was united in marriage to Wanda Bragg.

Frank is survived by his wife, Wanda of sixty-three years; one son and daughter-in-law, David and Martha Long of Cloverdale, IN; one daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Ron Watts of Macon, MO; five grandchildren, Dominic & (Jessica) DiFatta of Ft. Belvoir, VA, Amy DiFatta of Paris, MO, Angie and (Tim) O’Saben of Milstadt, IL, Bryan & (Shana) Long of Belleville, IL, and Susie & (Matt) Sheff of Mt. Vernon, IL; ten great-grandchildren, Bella and Rocco DiFatta, Thomas DiFatta, Nickolas and Alaiyna Wheaton, Chance O’Saben, Cory Long, Kiely Long, and Haley and Dean Sheff; and one step grandson, Ryne Watts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Von Nester; sister, Joann Duncan; brother, Harold Long; two great-grandchildren, and his step-brother, Bob Nester.

Frank attended Benton School and Kirksville Senior High School. He served in the United States Navy and after an honorable medical discharge, returned to Kirksville. At that time, Frank began his forty-six year career with International Shoe Company in 1946. He became assistant Superintendent in Kirksville and in 1964 transferred to Cape Girardeau, as Superintendent. In 1968, he transferred to St. Louis as General Superintendent of seventeen shoe factories. In 1973, Frank was made Vice President of Mfg. operations of International Shoe Co. In 1985 he became Senior Vice President of International Shoe Co. and was placed on the Board of Directors for Interco until retiring in 1992.

While residing in Kirksville, Frank was a member of the Moose Lodge #1751 and was on the ritual staff, was active with Jr. Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Lions Club.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday (June 14, 2013) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Jim Bolin and Larry Page officiating. Interment will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Family will receive friends on Friday (June 14, 2013) from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dominic DiFatta, Bryan Long, Ryne Watts, Thomas DiFatta, Matt Sheff and Ron Watts.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Frank Long may be made to the Christian Motorcyclist Association or to Run for the Sons #130062. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.