Ernest "Ernie" Raymond Long

Ernest “Ernie” Raymond Long, 67, passed away at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, on June 12, 2025.

Ernie was born to Harold Raymond Long and LaVenna Rae Brangham Long in Pocatello, Idaho on July 26, 1957. He had five sisters and two half-brothers.

Ernie grew up in Lava Hot Springs, graduating from Marsh Valley High School in 1976. He spent a lot of time helping on the farm.

He met and married Mila Jean Jones, together they have four children: Ember, Sarah, Chance, and Katie. They later divorced but stayed close friends. Ernie and Lisa Hainline were together for 15 happy years.

Ernie was very musical, playing the guitar, banjo, harmonica, and many others. He was part of a band called Portneuf River Passion where he played guitar, sang, and song writer. He loved to change the lyrics to popular songs and said he “Ernie-Longed” it. Ernie filled a room and drew a crowd wherever he went. Often a jokester, if you didn’t laugh at his joke the first time, he would repeat it, saying, “I don’t tell the joke for your pleasure but for my own amusement.”

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents, LaVenna and Harold, sister Shanon, bonus son Josh Tarbett, and beloved horse of 28 years, Cracker-Jack.

He is survived by his children Ember (Justun) Anderson of Richland, WA, Katie Long of Pocatello, ID, Chance (Bonnie) Long of Lava Hot Springs, ID, and Sarah Long of Harrisburg, OR; bonus children Nicholas Tarbet of Pocatello, ID, Laura Gerber of WY, and Maria Shipley of ID; sweetheart Lisa Hainline of ID; siblings Ronald Long of ID, Lynn Kingery of FL, Jane Ann (Mads) Christensen of ID, Nancy (Randy) Ames of ID, Donna Rae (Dan) Perry of UT, and Bonnie (Jeff) Hansen of OR; plus 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Ernie will be greatly missed.

Services for Ernie will be held at a later date.