Richard E. "Zeke" DeLong, 81, of Emmaus, died December 29, 2020 in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.  He was the husband of Joane I. (Carlson) DeLong.  Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Richard R. and Virginia (Druckenmiller) DeLong.  He honorably served his country in the Army Reserves.  He was a 1957 graduate of Allen High School and attended Penn State University on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1962.  Zeke played in the College World Series in 1959.   He went on to play in the minor leagues for the Detroit Tigers from 1962 – 1964, starting in Montgomery, AL and finishing in Duluth, MN. In MN is where he met Joane, and they were married for the past 56 years.  In 1971, he received the Brey Brennan Award for the City of Allentown's most outstanding athlete.  He continued to play baseball in the Blue Mountain League and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1987.  Zeke went on to play fast pitch softball with the Allentown Patriots and later was invited to play for the Reading Sunners.  The Sunners won the ASA Men's National Fast Pitch Softball Title in 1975, 1977, and 1978.  In 1976, they tied for the World Fast Pitch Softball Championship in New Zealand.  Zeke was inducted into the PA ASA Softball Hall of Fame in 1991, Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame in 2006, and received many MVP Tournament and All-American Awards.  Zeke worked at Mack Trucks for 35 years, retiring in 2000.  He enjoyed spending time golfing, traveling and visiting family.

Richard is survived by his wife, Joane; stepmother Elizabeth (Beiret) DeLong; daughters, Jill wife of Gerald Schlimme of Northampton and Jennifer DeLong of Emmaus; brother, Robert DeLong of Allentown; sister, Louise DeLong of Allentown; granddaughter, Taelyn DeLong; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a sister, Billie Beck.

A graveside service will be held on Tue., Jan. 5, 2021 at 2:00 PM in Western Salisbury Cemetery, 3441 Devonshire Rd., Allentown.  Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to William Allen Athletics, c/o Randy Atiyeh 106 N. 17 ^th St., Allentown, PA 18104, Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame, c/o Keith Groller, 101 N. 6 ^th St., Allentown, PA 18101 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.