Paul R. Longnecker; Navy Veteran, Mechanic

Longtime Ventura resident Paul Richard Longnecker died Friday. He was 68.

Longnecker was born Nov. 15, 1929, in Lynn, Ind. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17, his son, Paul said.

Longnecker was a veteran of two wars, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He was a diesel mechanic and worked on minesweepers and other ships, his son said.

In the late 1960s, Longnecker was stationed at Port Hueneme Naval Base, where he eventually retired.

After military service, Longnecker worked as an auto mechanic and later as a security guard for Burns Security. At night, he guarded Kinko’s corporate office in Ventura.

In his spare time, Longnecker liked to tinker with things. “He liked to fix up old bicycles and then ride them around,” his son said.

Longnecker was a member of American Legion Post 339, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Walter Chaffee Post 1679, the Elks Lodge No. 1430 and the Elks Lost Weekenders Club.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Berniece of Ventura; his son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Rita Longnecker of Gardnerville, Nev.; his brother, David Longnecker of Lynn, Ind.; his sister, Sarah Drisco of Portland, Ind., and three grandchildren.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura. Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Wells officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.