Lora Short (79) of Newton
Published on March 11 2020 8:54 am
Lora C. Short, age 79, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:00 PM Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at her home where she resided for 60 years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Tuesday, March 17 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, with Fr. Dean Probst celebrating mass. Burial will be on the Short Family Farm northeast of Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM Monday and from 9:30-10:00 AM Tuesday at Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. In loving memory of Lora, memorials may be made to the Larry and Lora Short Foundation, 13932 North 1650th Street, Newton, Illinois 62448. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.
Lora was born on March 18, 1940 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the daughter of Dorris Douglas “Doug” and Dorothy C. (Foege) Leffler. The family moved to Illinois in July 1947. Lora was a proud graduate of Newton Community High School, Class of 1958. She married Larry D. Short, her high school sweetheart on August 30, 1959, at the West Liberty Methodist Church in West Liberty, Illinois. She was a devoted wife to Larry, working alongside him on the family farm. She enjoyed helping him raise and sell pumpkins and gourds annually. Together they raised 3 children on the farm before Lora returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1970. She worked in the public school before returning to Eastern to obtain her Master’s Degree in School Psychology in 1980. She began working with Eastern Illinois Area Special Education working there until her retirement in 2009.
Lora had a passion for education but her true love was spending time with Larry, her children and grandchildren. She and Larry traveled many miles visiting antique malls looking for treasures. Lifelong friends were made while attending local auctions. Together they were huge fans of Illinois Fighting Illini, St. Louis Cardinals, and their beloved Newton Eagles. They traveled far and wide to support their grandchildren in all their sports and activities. After Larry’s passing on August 4, 2011, she became more passionate about her community offering her time and resources to community sports and organizations, ensuring a lasting legacy would be made. She enjoyed her monthly meetings with the Rose Hill Science Club and dinners with the “Girls of 58”.
The family farm was where she relaxed and had a great love of watching and feeding the birds and tending to flowers in her yard. She enjoyed watching and traveling to NASCAR races with her daughter Patti to cheer on #24, Jeff Gordon.
Lora is survived by: 3 Children - Kathleen Jo (Robert Barker) Graham of Carson City, Nevada; Norman Alan (Cinda) Short of Newton, Illinois and Patricia Lynne Short of Fisher, Illinois; 5 Grandchildren - Kristin Barker of Kirkland, Washington, Jesse Barker of Carson City, Nevada, Jennifer (Jace) Hills of Newton, Illinois, Alicia (Jaron) Magsamen of Ivesdale, Illinois and Justin Hadler of Fisher, Illinois; 6 Great grandchildren - Seth George of Kirkland, Washington, Jeremiah and Joleigh Hills of Newton, Illinois, Jarrett, Jackson and Jentry Magsmen of Ivesdale, Illinois; 2 Brothers - James (Jan) Leffler of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Jay (Patsy) Leffler of Newton, Illinois; Sister-in-law - Clara Short of Newton, Illinois; Nephews and Nieces - Jeff Short, Todd Short, Kevin Short, Kelly Leffler, Kate Passalacqua and Colleen Swick.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother-in-law Max Short.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Carle Richland Home Health Services who provided exceptional care, allowing Lora to remain at home.