Earl “Nick” Furlong 89, of Galena, IL passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Elizabeth Nursing Home. Funeral service will be at 11 am Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena and where friends may call after 9 am at the funeral home until time of service. Burial will be in St. Michael Catholic cemetery, Galena. Where military honors will be accorded by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. He was born August 11, 1926 in New Diggings, WI the son of Thomas Earl and Lorena Ann (Leglar) Furlong. Earl served in the United States Army during WWII until his honorable discharge. He was united in marriage to Gail W. Parks on August 12, 1950 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Genoa, IL and she preceded him in death on October 27, 2006. Earl cut hair in the Galena area for many years serving many generations. Together he and his wife Gail owned and operated Vinegar Hill Leadmine guiding tours over the years for many tourists and locals. Earl was a fifty plus year member of the Galena Elks Lodge, 4^Th Degree Knights of Columbus and a lifetime member of the Galena VFW. He is survived by, a son Patrick (Bobbi) Furlong of Galena, three grandchildren; Casey (Jamie) Richardson, Ryan and Andrew Furlong, five great grandchildren, Colton, Chandler, Ayden, Addison and Joseph, three brothers, Carl (Dolly) Furlong, Claire (Sandy) Furlong and David (Diane) Furlong, two sisters, Inez Piquette and Carol “Anna” Averkamp and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, five brothers, Robert, John “Percy”, Gerald, Daryl and James T. “Digger”, five sisters, Mary in infancy, Elaine, Helen, Twila and Lila. The family would like to thank the Elizabeth Nursing Home, Freeport Hospice and Bill and Jackie Houy for their care of Earl…also a special thank you to Jen Trebian of the Galena daycare center for listening to all Earl’s jokes!