Obituaries

July 12, 1931 to November 4, 2019

WINAMAC - Elsie M. Short, 88, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 8:15 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born July 12, 1931 in Marion, to the late Rev. V. Kenneth and Alice Earle Brown. She married Warren D. Short on Aug. 24, 1951. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Evelyn R. (Bernard) Regier, Newton, KS, Daughter
Leonard M. (Carol) Short, Winamac, Son
Leonard W. Short, Grandson
Jacob K. Short, Grandson
Abigail E. Regier, Granddaughter
Gretchen R. (Kailas) Chapman, Granddaughter
Bernard K. Regier, Grandson
Michelle A. (Tim) Bowyer, Granddaughter
Natalie L. Shidler, Granddaughter
17 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Grandson
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Bryan Jeff Shidler, Grandson
Rev. V. Kenneth Brown, Jr., Brother
Rev. David Brown, Brother

When she was four years old, Mrs. Short’s father contracted tuberculosis, and he lived in a sanitarium for four years. It was a difficult time for the entire family. They remained in Berlinville, OH where her father was a pastor at Berlinsville Friends Church. In 1949, the family moved to Arba, IN when her father accepted the pastorate at Arba Friends Church. In that same year, she met Warren D. Short whose family also attended  the Arba church. Warren's mother encouraged him to ask Elsie out, and so he did. She was attending Marion College at that time. The couple later married with Elsie's father presiding. They then moved to Franklin. She continued h her education at Franklin College until their children were born.

Mrs. Short supported her husband in his work as Purdue Extension Agent in Johnson, Blackford and Grant counties. In 1960, the couple accepted a call to the mission field to serve as agricultural missionaries in Kenya, East Africa for eight years. Mrs. Short thrived in this beautiful country and threw herself entirely into the mission work. She led the choir at the Kaimosi Bible School for one year, home-schooled her children for one year, and spent weekends doing church visitation and ministry at remote villages. As an educator, she enriched her family's lives with bird and wildlife watching; raising exotic pets, including a Colobus monkey; and planning many exciting vacations in the African bush. She worked with her husband in establishing the Farmer's Training Center at Lugari, Kenya where they hosted many meals for visiting government officials.

The Shorts returned to Indiana in 1968. She returned to Marion College where she resumed religious studies and received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. In 1970, they moved to Winamac, where she served as the mental health assistant director for Pulaski County. She also worked at the Pulaski County Public Library and was a volunteer with the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She served as Nazarene Mission Committee chairman, Methodist Mission Committee chairman and led Bible study for her Sunday school class. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac and a lifetime member of the Arba Friends Church.

Mrs. Short's last years were spent as a resident of the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac where she led an active life, busy with activities and visiting with other residents. This last summer, she was in charge of the flower program with the staff of the nursing home, which brought her much joy. The staff and residents will greatly miss her. Her lifetime commitment was to serve the Lord and her family. Her memory will be treasured by her family and by all those whom her life touched.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at Arba Friends Church (10632 S. Arba Pike Lynn, IN 47355) with Rev. Gene Moser officiating. Burial willbe at Arba Friends Church Cemetery in Lynn, IN. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Warren, at the place where it all began for them.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mission Program at Arba Friends Church or Winamac First United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.