James T. “Digger” Furlong, 91 of Galena, IL passed away peacefully at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Funeral mass will be 10:30 AM, Monday, December 28, 2015 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Galena. Friends may call from 1 to 4 PM Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena. Burial will be in Vinegar Hill Cemetery, Galena. Military honors will be accorded graveside by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. He was born on November 12, 1924 in Galena, IL the son of Thomas Earl and Lorena Ann (Leglar) Furlong. During his childhood he spent most of his time working for his Uncle Faber on his farm and attending school. He graduated from Hazel Green High School in 1941.  Jim served in the United States Navy during WWII where he worked in the code room at Pearl Harbor from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946. Shortly after his return from the Navy he enlisted in the United States Army serving from 1946 until his honorable discharge in 1948. After being discharged from the Army he enrolled at Worsham Mortuary College, Chicago where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science. Following graduation, he worked for Carroll Funeral Home in Chicago where he met and married Mary Jacqueline “Doris” Johnson and she preceded him in death on October 29, 2000. In 1954 he came back to Galena to take over his great uncles funeral business Uehren and Furlong Funeral Home which he later purchased. In 1967 he moved to his 227 North Main Street location and operated that with his son Tom until 2005, when they moved to their current location. In 1982, he opened the first crematory in the Tri-State area which is still operated by his son Tim. Digger loved hunting, fishing, boating, playing cards and his many gatherings at his camp. He was a member of Galena Fire Department, Knights of Columbus 4^th degree, Elks Lodge, Eagles Club, Moose Lodge, Illinois Funeral Directors, National Funeral Directors, Wisconsin Funeral Directors, Iowa Funeral Directors, Jo Daviess County Board, lifetime member VFW, St. Michaels Catholic Church, St. Michaels Church council and cemetery committee. Jim was the past Jo Daviess County Coroner for sixteen years. His Mission Statement was always to help those who needed help at their most difficult time. He is survived by his two sons, Thomas J. (Julie) of Galena, Timothy M. (fiancée Jennifer) of Apple Canyon Lake, seven grandchildren, Dalton, Darian, Katie, Maggie, Gracie, Addison and Zaiden, his special companion, Bonnie Giesert, four brothers, Earl “Nick” Furlong, 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, four brothers, Robert, John “Percy”, Gerald and Daryl, five sisters, Mary in infancy, Elaine, Helen, Twila and Lila. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Stonehill Care Center, Hospice of Dubuque especially Megan and Dianne your compassion and care will never be forgotten.