Ben Eugene DeLong

Ben Eugene DeLong, 75, of Lafayette, passed away at his residence in Lafayette Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 2:40 AM. He was born in Lafayette April 19, 1948, the son of the late Max Merrill and Jean E. (Wilkinson) DeLong. Ben was a graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School and received his Associates Degree in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaii at Oahu. He served in the Mariene Corps from 1966 until 1987, retiring with the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Ben owned and operated DeLong Rental Properties in Lafayette. Ben married Elizabeth Anne Calloway in Lafayette February 14, 2024 and she survives.  He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 11, VFW Post 1154 and the Lafayette Corvette Club.  Surviving with his wife is a daughter, Kristina Harmeson (Kim) of Lafayette, a son Terry DeLong of Lafayette, a step-son, Kristopher Hicks (Jill) of Lafayette, two brothers, Max DeLong of Shadeland, IN, Randy Budge (Liz) of Westminster, MD, and by two sisters, Bonnie Spaulding (Chuck) of Princeton, KY and Linda Scurto of West Lafayette. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Brian Budge and a sister Andrea DeLong. Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette from 10:00 AM until the service at 12:00 PM Saturday April 20, Pastors Brad and Sandy Marchel officiating. Interment with Marine Corps military rites in Isley Cemetery, Lafayette. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 11, Lafayette. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home is caring for the DeLong Family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com