Myrtle was one of three children born to the late Carlos Levi and Bessie M. (Logan) Williams. She was born August 4, 1920 in the community of Cookville, Missouri, in Pulaski County. When Myrtle was a very young girl, her family moved to Crescent, near St. Louis, Missouri. They later moved to Waynesville, where she attended school.
On August 29, 1936, in Lebanon, Missouri, Myrtle was united in marriage with Elmer Long. Myrtle and Elmer were blessed with three daughters, Donna Pearl, Eleanor Ruth and Lynda Charlene. Myrtle mourned the passing of her eight year old daughter, Donna Pearl in 1945, and Elmer in 1976. In 1978, she married Harold Zielke, who preceded her in death in 1983.
In 1948, Elmer and Myrtle owned and operated Long’s Restaurant in Waynesville. When it closed, Myrtle took business courses at Drury College at Ft. Leonard Wood. She accepted a position as bookkeeper at the Pulaski County Hospital, and later worked for Carl and Polly Deaton at Skyway Aviation for ten years. She retired after serving as St. Robert Finance/City Clerk for fifteen years.
Myrtle was very active in her community. She was a member of the Pulaski County Democratic Central Committee (chairman 10 years), and Business and Professional Women; member from 1953 to 1984, appointed to the state board in 1970, serving as president from 1982 – 83, treasurer for two terms, and during her tenure on the board held every state office. She enjoyed cooking, traveling and playing cards. She bowled on the Tuesday Morning Coffee League and Wednesday Night Ladies’ League at Buckhorn Bowling Lanes.
In 1938, Myrtle professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized in the Gasconade River near the Riddle Bridge. She was a faithful, active member of Westside Baptist Church, until her health no longer permitted her attendance.
Myrtle was very dearly loved, and will be sadly missed by her daughters: Eleanor Shivers of St. Robert and Charlene Nalley of Waynesville; four grandchildren: Sondra Negrete, Connie Wirt, Kellie Scott and Errin Willis; fourteen great grandchildren; sixteen great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Also preceding Myrtle in death were her grandparents: Alex Logan and Anna Mae Williams; her brother: Alex Williams; sister: Ruthie Moll; sons-in-law: Kenneth Shivers and Steven Nalley; beloved grandson: Elmer Shivers and two great grandsons: Eddie Negrete and Cameron Scott.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Pastor Lindell Shelden officiating. Marvin Long, cousin of Myrtle, read the obituary and recalled his wonderful memories of Myrtle. Soloist Becky Lercher sang “I Love to Tell the Story”, “This World Is Not My Home”, “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” and “When We All Get to Heaven”. Serving as escorts were Kenny Shivers, Jared Wirt, Chuck Willis, James Scott, Gil Negrete, Sr., Benjamin Negrete and Ron Long.
Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Myrtle Long to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
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