Mr. Larry D. Short, age 72
retired farmer, 72, of Newton passed away Thursday afternoon August 4, 2011 in his home northeast of Newton where he had lived for 52 years.
Funeral services celebrating Larry's life will be held at 10:00 AM - Monday, August 8, 2011 at the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL with Bro. Mike Knepper and Denver Ferguson officiating. Burial will be on the Short Family Farm north east of Newton, IL. Visitation will be held from 5:00–8:00 PM on Sunday, August 7, 2001 at Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL.
Larry was born in Hunt City Township on May 22, 1939, the son of Lloyd L. (Jack) Short and Pauline Newkirk Short Foster. He graduated from Newton Community High School in 1958, then worked at Trainor and Webb's and at Newton Feed and Supply for a while until he started farming full time after the death of his father in 1962. He married his high school sweetheart, Lora C. Leffler, on August 30, 1959 in the West Liberty Methodist Church and she survives.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children: Kathleen Jo (Robert Barker) Graham of Carson City, NV, Norman (Cinda) Short of Newton, and Patti Short of Fisher, IL. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Kristen and Jesse Barker of Carson City, NV, Jennifer (Jaceson) Hills of Newton, and Alicia and Justin Hadler of Fisher, IL and by three great-grandchildren, Seth George of Carson City and Jeremiah and Joleigh Hills of Newton. One brother Max (Clara) Short of Newton, his father-in-law, Doug Leffler of Newton and several nieces and nephews also survive along with friends too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two young brothers, and his grandparents.
Larry was reared on a farm just down the road from where he lived and enjoyed his life as a farmer and being outdoors. Although retired from farming, he still grew pumpkins and gourds that he had sold for years in addition to tomatoes and sweet corn for his own use and enough extra for the neighbors. He and Lora spent many days going to auctions and flea markets, often traveling far from home on a quest. They enjoyed the treasures they would find. He also enjoyed finding arrowheads on his property. Larry liked to hunt and has deer trophies to prove it, but he also liked to watch the deer and not many days went by without a report about the deer he had seen. He daily watched the finches, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers that came to the feeders. He liked most sports and followed the Eagles, the Illini, and the Cardinals. Old timers in the county will remember his pitching ability in Little League. But above all this, his family held the biggest spot in his heart, and he will be sorely missed.
Donations may be made to Newton Community High School Athletics or to the donor's choice