Kenneth Earle Long

The Honorable Kenneth Earle Long passed away peacefully in his sleep January 15, 2025. He was born March 30, 1929, in Kalamazoo, MI to his parents Raymond and Edith (Arndt) Long. Ken was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo.

His early schooling was at Kalamazoo Public Schools, and he celebrated KPS by serving on the Roosevelt and Eastside Reunion committee until he was 93. At Central High School, he was in the auditorium daily for homeroom and band, and later wrote a letter recommending that the new auditorium be named after Mr. Chenery, the Band Director. Ken talked fondly of his early job at the Kalamazoo Gazette, earning for his education at Western Michigan University, where he met his wife of 53 years, Helen June Westlund. They married April 4, 1953, in her hometown of Mears, Michigan. He graduated WMU with a double major in History and French. He started at University of Michigan Law School, but Service called, and he joined the Navy. He served in Washington, DC with the National Security Administration (NSA).

After the service, he finished his law degree at U of M. Ken and Helen returned to Kalamazoo and he began practicing first with Carl Morris Law and then joined Stanley, Davidoff, Long, and Grey, where he practiced for 20 years before being appointed by Governor Milliken to the 8th District court. He served on the bench for 16 years. As Chief Judge, he spearheaded the consolidation of the Portage and Kalamazoo District Courts. His time as Judge is remembered by many as being knowledgeable of the law, fair, and compassionate. 

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 2006. Also, his parents; brothers, Donald Raymond Long and Eugene Robert Long; and Helen Davidson, with whom he spent 12 wonderful years. 

He is survived by children, Karin (Patric) Bickle, Tracy (Alan) Whitaker, and Trevor (Joannie) Long; grandchildren, Kristen (Chris) Kammerer, Laura (Jim) Otermat, Nathan Whitaker, Collin (Lexi) Whitaker, Ben (Hanna) Whitaker, Garrett Long, and Nolan Long; great-grandchildren, Megan, Joshua, Drake and William; and two nieces.

Ken and Helen were members of Vasa Order of America. Ken loved spending time with family and friends, especially at the cabin at Silver Lake in Mears. He enjoyed researching his trips, including to Sweden, gardening and woodworking, and crosswords until his eyesight failed. He worked at Camp Rota-Kawan, earned the rank of Eagle Scout and volunteered as Scout master for many years. He also volunteered at Lending Hands in Kalamazoo. For most of his adult life, he donated blood to the Red Cross monthly. 

Ken’s family will greet visitors at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI, on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 2:00-3:00pm, with a service at 3:00pm and reception following at 4:00pm.

Memorial donations in memory of Ken can be made to Lending Hands of MI, Inc, 4570 Commercial Ave, Suite E, Portage, MI 49002 and AmericanRedCross.org online or American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.