Donald Short - January 02, 2009

Donald Short was born on Jan. 12, 1922 at Madrid, Neb. He was the oldest of four children born to Walter and Etta Mae Hicks Short. Don grew up south of Elsie, Neb. where he went to rural school. He attended Perkins County High School in Grant, Neb. where he graduated in 1939.
Don considered going on to college, but made the choice to stay on the farm and help his family. After his parents died, Don continued living on the farm where he helped his brother, Junior.
Don was married to Loveta (Rowley) Barnett on Sept. 15, 1979 at the Elsie Methodist Church. They made their first home south of Elsie until 1982 when they moved to Loveta’s home east of Grant. In 1998 they moved into Madrid.
Don had been in failing health when he died at his home on Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2009. He had reached the age of 86.
Don appreciated his membership with the Masonic Lodge. He attended the Wallace Lodge and had received his 50 year membership pin last year.
Don is survived by his wife, Loveta; two step-sons, Jim Barnett of Yukon, Okla. and Ernie Barnett and his fianceé, Carol Robertson of Madrid; four step-daughters, Norma and her husband Tom Kelley of Altamonte, Fla., Karon and her husband Don Harris of Grant, Sharon and her husband Joe Zavorka of Torrington, Wyo., Kim and her husband Brian Earl of Cheyenne, Wyo.; daughter-in-law, Denise Barnett of Gretna, Neb.; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Madelyn Gibbs of Wheatridge, Colo., and Marjorie McKenzie of Florida; other relatives and friends.
Locally, Don was an uncle of Glenda Loeffler of Imperial, and the late Gail Rowley and Darrell Rowley.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Sally Ruggia-Haden officiating.
Burial was in the Grant Cemetery with a Masonic tribute by the Wallace Lodge.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.