Connie Marie Long

Connie Marie (Wilcox) Long, 71, of Berryton, went home Sunday to be with her Lord. She was born Oct. 14, 1941, in Topeka, to Wilby and Gladys (Van Cleave) Wilcox. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 1959 and attended Washburn University.

Connie married David W. Long on April 10, 1960, and had two daughters, Tammy Foster, of Lawrence, and Robin Block, of Topeka.


She retired in 2003 from Midland Hospice Care, where she worked as an accounts payable specialist. Before working at Midland, she worked in accounting at several other Topeka businesses, including Fleming Company. Connie was a lifelong Topeka and Berryton resident. She was a very kind woman who loved to laugh and make other people laugh. She loved her six grandchildren and cheered for them at everything from dance recitals to football games. She was a Baptist and worshiped the Lord daily.


She and her husband, David, traveled extensively in their RV. During their travels, their varied experiences included attending Walt Disney University in Orlando, Fla., and working for Hurricane Katrina relief in Jennings, La. They also enjoyed camping in Branson, Mo. Connie was a member of Family Campers and RVers, Kansas Camping Association, Kansas Sunchasers Retirees and Campfire Campers. She and David were elected Kansas Family Campers and RVers Retiree King and Queen in 2008 in Winfield, and the couple was elected Family Campers and RVers International Retiree King and Queen in 2009 in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Connie loved crafts, and she served as the craft chairman for the FCRV International Campvention in 2009 in Sedalia, Mo., and frequently assisted with crafts for both FCRV and Sunchasers. She also served as assistant entertainment chairperson for David several times for KCA.


She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilby and Gladys Wilcox, and two sisters, Cora Tillotson and Betty Owens. Survivors include her husband, David; twin sister Bonnie Eckstein, of Topeka; sisters Linda Moon (Wayne), of Coffeyville, and JoAnn Barard (Ray) of Claremore, Okla; daughter Tammy Foster and husband Wayne, of Lawrence; daughter Robin Block and husband Steve, of Topeka; and grandchildren Samantha, Shannon and Clara Foster, of Lawrence, and David Tidwell and Delaney and Dawson Block, of Topeka.


A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel, 2843 S.E. Minnesota. Private inurnment will take place in Topeka Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive visitors before the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Campers Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Bob Schreck, 4769 N. Portwest, Wichita, KS 67204.