Edward Walter Longenecker

Edward Walter Longenecker, 86, East Petersburg, died peacefully on March 7, 2025 at Penn State Lancaster Medical Center after a three-week illness. Born in Manheim, he was the son of the late Ammon and Gertrude (Diller) Longenecker. He and his wife Dorothy (Hershey) Longenecker recently observed their 65th wedding anniversary on February 12th.

Ed was a 1956 graduate of Manheim Central High School. After graduation, he was employed at Keath Planing Mill, Frey and Son, and B.B. Martin. He returned to Keath Planing Mill in 1969 (currently Lititz Planing Mill) and began his career as an architectural draftsman. He retired in 2024 after 55+ years of service. Ed served in the U.S. Army between 1962-1963 while stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap. For 21 years he coached the Manheim Township Salted Nuts, a women’s fast pitch softball team. He enjoyed following the Manheim Central Baron’s football team, visiting the beach in Rehoboth, DE, and attending all of his grandkid’s activities. Ed was a very talented cabinetmaker and crafted over 1,300 wooden chandeliers in his lifetime. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather and great grandfather.

Along with his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, Brenda Longsderff (David) of Columbia, and Michele Smith (David) of East Petersburg. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Andrew Longsderff, Joshua Longsderff (Kelly), Kristen Smith (Levi), Megan Smith, and Nathan Smith; and three great-grandchildren, Daxton and Haiden Longsderff, and Joanna Smith.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service at the Buch Funeral Home, 21 Market Square, Manheim on Thursday March 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Private Interment will be in Longenecker Cemetery. There will be a public viewing on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the funeral home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and then again on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Kindly omit flowers, contributions in Ed’s memory may be sent to Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation