Earl V. "Bud" Longenecker

Earl Vinton (Bud) Longenecker, 89, of Hershey, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 31, 2021. Born in Mt Joy, he was the oldest son to the late Earl W. and Helen H. Longenecker and married 42 years to his loving wife, the late Janice L. Longenecker.

A 1950 graduate of South Lebanon High School, Bud excelled in music and soccer. He attended Elizabethtown College, working on the family farm until being drafted in 1953, serving 2 years at a hospital while also attending Bethany Theological Seminary of The Church of the Brethren in Chicago, IL.  Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Bud started several successful businesses first in Chicago in real estate, returning to PA as a realtor/builder/developer owning and operating his own companies.

Bud had deep faith, was a great communicator, always with a positive attitude! He volunteered his time at church, helping those in need and loved singing hymns with his siblings.   Bud was a die-hard Phillies and Eagles fan, had a love of cooking, reading and learning.  He cared more for those around him, never complaining about his own discomfort. Bud was loved by all and will be deeply missed.

Bud’s greatest joy was being a dad and grandfather. “Pappers” is survived by 7 children: Jeff Longenecker, Joyce Baker and husband Jack, Bruce Longenecker and wife Renee, Kevin Longenecker, Jane Suter and husband Michael, Laurie Rippon, and Don Longenecker, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and siblings, Marilyn (Dolly) Brightbill, Rosie Fisher, Cynthia Linton, Janice Holsinger and husband John, Willard Longenecker and wife Rita, Gloria Dougherty and husband John and Lynn Longenecker, along with dozens of nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11AM on Friday, April 1, 2022 at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078. Burial will follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery, Palmyra.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Four Diamonds – Conquering Childhood Cancer, through Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, www.FourDiamonds.org

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

Four Diamonds at Penn State Children's Hospital
1249 Cocoa Ave, Suite 115, P.O. Box 852, Hershey PA 17033
Tel: 1-717-531-6086
Email: fourdiamondsinfo@hmc.psu.edu
Web: http://www.FourDiamonds.org