Oct. 7, 1933 – Jan. 17, 2018

Barbara “Barb” Lehner-Long, 84, succumbed to COPD while surrounded by family on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, at the Quality Health Care, VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit in Winter Garden, Florida.

Barb will be remembered by her friend and husband of 24 years, Crockett, of Kissimmee, Florida; six children, David (Saralynn) Lehner, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Rebecca (Guy [late]) Benjamin, of Niles, Gary (Bonnie) Lehner, of Richwood, Texas, Christopher (Christina) Lehner of Camarillo, California, John (Jenny) Lehner, of St. Joseph and Annette Lehner of Kissimmee, Florida; stepson, Crockett “CJ” Long Jr. of North Hollywood, California; sister, Donna Jean (John) Arata, of Sebring, Florida and brother, Donald (Bev) Axline, of Niles. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Bryan, Chelsey, Ricky, Nathan, Chris, Jacob, Noah, Jacob L. and Kelly; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and extended family. Barb was preceded in death by her parents.

Barb was born on Oct. 7, 1933, to Deward B. and Virginia H. (Kinkead) Axline in Columbus, Ohio. She was raised in Columbus, but called Niles home for much of her adult life. The warm climate of the Kissimmee/St. Cloud area was her residence for the past 25 years. During her lifetime, Barb was employed by Niles Community Schools as a teacher’s assistant and bus driver, Continental Airlines as an administrative assistant, in the retail market as a customer service representative and was also self-employed baking and decorating custom event cakes. Throughout her children’s formative years, Barb participated in various community-related activities, including the Niles High School Band Boosters, the St Mary’s Catholic Church Altar Rosary Society and other organizations. Visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were some of her most enjoyable memories. Many of her most relaxing moments were in the parks of Walt Disney World, where she would often visit with family.

At Barb’s request, a private Celebration of Life will take place with family and close friends in the coming weeks. 

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Clinic, 510 Brown Chapel Road, St. Cloud, FL 34769, In Memory of Barbara Long.  (407) 593-1256