Lt. Colonel Daniel E. Furlong (USAF Ret.)

November 22, 1937 - February 6, 2021

Lt. Colonel Daniel E. Furlong (USAF Ret.) was born in Chicago, IL on November 22, 1937 to Daniel J. and Edna (Faye) Furlong. Daniel passed from this life to God’s care on February 6, 2021 at age 83. Daniel joined the United States Air Force in July 1957, unaware this was to be his life’s calling. Daniel married Jean Hough, formerly of Munster, IN, on July 18, 1959. In April 1961, he started Officer Candidate School. On September 22, 1961 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant; rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring May 1, 1983 as the commander of the 4950th Test Wing at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. Throughout his almost 26-year career, he served 14 separate assignments including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service there. He also served many temporary duty assignments while resulted in his travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Upon retiring from active-duty service, Dan joined TSC in Bloomington and worked on many development contracts with Crane NWSC. Daniel is an alumnus of St. Leo's High School, Chicago, IL; St. Martin's College (BA-Psychology), Olympia, WA and Pepperdine University (MA-Education), Malibu, CA. Dan was a life member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled Veterans. He was a member of the Monroe Masonic 22 Lodge. He was a life member of the Stone Belt Shrine Club where he served as the Club President. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Hough Furlong; his three daughters: Pamela (Jon) Backstrom of Clive, Iowa; Brenda Voisard of Marion, Ohio; and Edith (Ed) King of Bedford, Indiana. Thirteen grandchildren: Elizabeth Eagles (Dan Stempowski) of Amherst, Ohio; Jessica Clagg of Greenfield, Indiana; Travis Clagg of Bedford, Indiana; Maridith (Jeff) Morris of Cumming, Iowa; Erik (Sherilyn) Backstrom of Indianola, Iowa; Brittany (Zach) Ingram of Solsberry, Indiana; Lars Backstrom (Caitlin Goodsell) of Clive, Iowa; Nils Backstrom (Ashley Wickizer) of Des Moines, Iowa; Kaitlyn King (Jesse Horsting) of St. Anthony, Indiana; Marisa Voisard of Columbus, Ohio; Kaleb King of Bedford, Indiana; Courtney Voisard and Brooke Voisard of Columbus, Ohio. Twelve Great-Grandchildren: Christopher Ewoldsen, Kolby Green, Quillan and Malaya McMurry, Ehen and Lorenzo Morris, Fintan and Alaina Backstrom and Jocelyn Goodsell all of Iowa; Charleigh and Emerson Pridgen, and McKinley Clagg all of Indiana. He is also survived by many loved cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Christine Furlong Chandler; his sister Dolores Reitz; his parents, Daniel J. and Edna Furlong; his in-laws, George and Elizabeth (Bult) Hough; nephew Stephen Hough and niece Debra Ferreira. A private funeral service will be held for the family. Burial will be held at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana. Public visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, February 11, 2020 at the Allen Funeral Home 4155 S. Old St Rd 37 Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children would be appreciated in his memory. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com