A funeral service was held Friday at Lakewood Memorial Park for Lonnie Earl Sloan, 72, of Hughson. He died Nov. 14, 2011 with family by his side following a long illness.

Born June 22, 1939 in Madera, Lonnie was a 1958 graduate of Ceres High School. He attended Hartnell College were he started as a tight end on a team that was undefeated and ranked third in the nation. Mr. Sloan was employed by Gallo Winery for 32 years where he also served as a union representative. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play, never missing a practice or a game.

He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Jan George-Sloan of Hughson; his children, Lonnie D. Sloan, Lisa Roberts, and Lana Sloan; his brother, Raymond Sloan; his sisters, Melvina Keenom, Dorthy Bidwell, Kathy Crum, Pam Mares and Carrol Morrow; and his grandchildren, Brandon Sloan, Jace Sloan, Nicole Sloan, Reine Sloan, Landon Roberts; and his step-grandsons, Mark Lovett, Coty Roberts and Shane Roberts. He was preceded in death by parents Earl and Mable Sloan, step-mother Sylvia Sloan and brothers Cletus and Donal Sloan.

-Ceres Courier/ November 23, 2011