Ted W. DeLong passed away at his home with his family at his side on October 8, 2025 of complications from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He was 82 years old.
Ted was born January 15, 1943, in Muskegon, Michigan to William P. and Dorothy Wiley DeLong and moved to Holland when he was 5 years old.
Ted graduated from Holland High School in 1961 and from Hope College in 1965. In 1967, he received his Masters in Business Administration from Western Michigan University. After earning his Certified Public Accounting certificate in 1969 he joined his father’s accounting firm of William P. DeLong and Co. In 1988, Ted and Chuck Brower opened their own firm of DeLong & Brower P.C. He was a member of the Michigan Association of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
In 1964, he met his future wife, Ellen Walters, at Hope College and eventually they were married on January 8, 1966.
Ted was a member of First Reformed Church and his faith was important to him. He loved his family, Mackinac Island, his garden and baseball, especially the Detroit Tigers. His family made many trips to Mackinac Island over the years and their family celebrated Ted and Ellen’s 50th wedding anniversary on the island. Ted also walked the Mackinac Bridge 25 times until two knee replacements caused him to quit. There were also many trips to Detroit Tiger games and to his grandchildren’s baseball games, soccer games, volleyball games and cross country meets.
Baseball was a part of his life since he played Little League. He played for Holland High School and Holland Recreation teams in the summer. At age 50, he joined a slow pitch softball team which travelled around the United States. His proudest moment was in 2009 when his Michigan Merchants team won the CAN-AM Tournament championship in Mesquite, Nevada.
Ted had a beautiful garden and was especially proud of his dahlias. His garden was featured in two Holland Garden Club tours.
Ted was active in the community of Holland as he served as past president and treasurer of Holland Rotary Club, past president of the Board of Public Works and a member of Holland Chamber of Commerce. He was also past treasurer of Wildlife Unlimited and helped with the development of the Outdoor Discovery Center.
Ted is survived by his wife, Ellen, his children; daughter, Kelly Carlisle and her husband Thom and children Sam and Josie of Portage, Michigan; son, Dave of Holland; daughter, Joey Shellenbarger and her husband Andy and children Liam and Alec of Fort Collins, Colorado; brother, Jack and his wife Alice DeLong of Sarasota, Florida; brother-in-law, Bob and his wife Shelley Walters of San Antonio, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Dorothy DeLong.
A visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 29 from 5-7pm at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, October 30 at 11:00am at First Reformed Church, Holland.
Contributions may be made to the Dorothy Wiley DeLong Endowed Chair of Dance at Hope College and the First Reformed Church of Holland Endowment Fund.
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