The descendants of JOHN KIMBALL LONGARDNER and LEONA FLORENCE. ROBERTS of Woodburn, Indiana met July 9 for the 2017 Longardner Family reunion at the lovely Johns home at Carmel, Indiana. It was opened with a meaningful welcome prayer by their granddaughter, Laura Ritter Stilwell with all holding hands. A carry-in dinner was served and enjoyed as well as swimming in the pool. This was hosted by Granddaughter, Melinda Ritter (Johns) and husband Steve and their children, Emily and Zachery.
The descendants of JOSEPH H. LONGARDNER b. Jan. 1833 Bavaria, Germany and MARY BARBARA/MARIA FRY b. 21Jan1 836 Bayern, Germany met July 9, 2017 at Carmel, Indiana for the 2017 LONGARDNER FAMILY REUNION. These immigrants came to Allen Co. Indiana and were married 31July1852 at Maples, Allen Co. Indiana. They continued to live there and raise their family in Jefferson, Allen Co. Ind. Joseph d. 1917 and Mary Barbara d. 4Nov1914. Both are buried in Gar Creek cemetery, Madison Twp. Allen Co. IN.
German immigrant J.G. John George Fry was the father of Mary Barbara (b. Baden, Ger. 1804 — d. McLean, Illinois 1860) One record shows them arriving December 20, 1854 in New York.
The direct line of decendants from the immigrant Joseph H. Longardner to our present day are: JOSEPH H. LONGARDNER b. 1833-d.1917; JOHN WILLIAM LONGARDNER b 1854-d.1922; WILLIAM FRANKLIN LONGARDNER b. 1881-1’929; JOHN KIMBALL LONGARDNER b. 1913 (Allen Co.) Ind. – d. 1997; JOHN K. LONGARDNER JR. b. 1936 (Allen Co.) Ind. – 1996 (Paulding Co. Ohio).
John Kimball Longardner (1913-1997) and Leona Florence Roberts (1914-1999) married 26Decl 935 Allen Co. Indiana. They lived near Woodburn, Indiana all of their Lives. (All their children have now passed away). Their remains are in Oddfellows Cem. in New Haven, Ind. with no stone (at their request)..
The remaining descendants that came to this reunion were descendants of : Child #1/John K. Longardner Jr.; Child #2/Bruce Edward Longardner; Child #3/Kenneth Wayne Longardner; Child #4/Carol Longardner (Ritter) (Bordner); Child #5/ Richard Alan Longardner; Child #6/Diane Longardner (died at age 11 yrs.).
DESC. OF JOHN #1: In attendance from Antwerp, Ohio were: John Nicholas Longardner and (Mrs. Caroline Wells (Longardner) (Zimmerman); from Warren, Ind.: Julius Kirk Longardner.
DESC. OF BRUCE #2: In Attendance from New Haven, Ind.: Mrs. Denise Longardner Glasser and children Juli & Kate; (Colleen Murphy Longardner) (Mrs. Bruce). From Farmland, Ind.: Craig Longardner and (wife, Sonja).
DESC. OF KENNETH #3: none present.
DESC. OF CAROL #4: From Carmel, Ind.: Melinda (& Steve) Ritter Johns, Emily and Zachery Johns; From Costa Rica were Laura (& Kim) Stilwell and children: Sam, Gabe and Corine. (They encouraged the family to come to visit them.); Rick (& Margie) & Lilya.
(Note: (Dick Ritter) the father of Melinda Ritter Johns, Laura Ritter Stilwell and Rick Ritter was also present from Fremont, Indiana.)
DESC. OF RICHARD #5: From Carmel, Ind.: (Rob Klein) and children: Phoebe, Tessa & Jude. Get-well wishes were sent to cousin, Clay Longardner, who recently had surgery and was unable to attend this function.
Regrets were sent by others unable to attend. A birthday was celebrated for “Gabe” Stilwell was was 15 years old.
Good food and conversation was shared by all. Family history was shared by the family historian, Caroline Longardner Zimmerman. Pictures were taken for future posterity and family history books. This is a group effort. Any pictures or information forwarded is appreciated.
It was noted that a Longardner Reunion that met in Ft. Wayne in 2016 were descendants of some of the siblings of John Kimball Longardner.
It was felt that John and Leona Longardner would have been proud and would have enjoyed the day.
Submitted by Caroline Wells Longardner Zimmerman
Family questions? Please call 419-258-2222
•Note: ( ) parentheses indicates not blood relative to Longardner lineage.
