Merry Jo “Joey” Long, 75, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, at the Bradenton Hospice House in Bradenton, FL.
She was born on November 1, 1950, in Bellevue, PA to Robert G. and Mary C. Heintzelman. Joey graduated from Bellevue High School in 1968 and attended college at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. She moved to Florida in 1985 and worked at Keeton’s Office and Art Supply teaching classes in multiple genres of art for 30 years before retiring in 2019. She continued teaching her classes, was involved with multiple creative groups and was very active in her church.
She enjoyed traveling, was an avid reader and loved any books centered around dogs. Joey always made sure to have her lipstick on if she was going out, making sure to put a couple of dabs on her cheeks. She was the most selfless person many of us have ever known, she enjoyed helping others and was always willing to go above and beyond for her family and her friends. She was a collector of all things that she might need someday for an art project.
She is survived by her daughter, Lacey Bradley, two granddaughters, Cailey Aspril and Rylie Bradley of Bradenton, FL, her sister Roberta Gibble of Wilmington, DE and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Sally Mato and Patricia Oawster.
A celebration of life will be on July 11, 2026, at 11:00am with a reception to follow at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Southside Campus at 1604 17th St. W Bradenton, FL 34205. Joey wasn’t one to wear black clothes, so we aren’t either. The more colors the better!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joey’s name to The Asher House at theasherhouse.com.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory,43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
