Robert Edward Short, 82 of Cabool, MO departed this life on Jan. 13, 2023 at the Kabul Nursing Home after battling dementia and cancer. He was born on April 17, 1940 in his grandparents’ home in Barstow, IL the son of Robert Allen and Pearl Reata (Holden) Short.
He was one of six children, three of which died in infancy. Surviving were Robert “Ed”, the oldest, Thomas Jerald, and Allen Earl, whom both proceeded him in death.
During his elementary years, he attended many schools. He attended high school at Galesburg, Ill and graduated there in 1958. Shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Air Force. His basic training was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at 32nd Air Division, next to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, where he was a graphic illustrator and attained the rank of sergeant. Being honorably discharged in 1963.
He married Anna Elizabeth Schaefer on Nov. 10th, 1962 at the Chapel at Tinker Air Force Base because it was during the Cuban Crisis and he was not allowed to leave the area far enough to go to her home town.
To this union three children were born, Angela Kaye Rippy, Dec 30th, 1963 of Cabool, MO, Michael Edward Short, February 27th,1968 of Ozark, MO and Melissa Ann Sigman, May 17th, 1971 of Cabool, MO. Ed was also blessed with 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Shortly after being discharged from the air force, Ed and his family moved to the Quad City area in Illinois, where he worked for International Harvest in Rock Island and was a welder at various other plants. In 1969, they moved to Cabool, MO and purchased the family farm and have lived there ever since.
He went to work for Richards Brothers Feed Store in Mountain Grove. He also worked for Sunny Hill Poultry Company, Ozark Fertilizer in Cabool and on the road construction with Howard’s Construction. He then purchased a farm milk route which delivered to Mid America Dairymen and retired from this after 19 years.
