Helen Janet Ponder Short (108) of Neoga

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Published on July 11 2023 10:24 am

Helen Janet Ponder Short passed away peacefully at 1:08 AM Monday July 10, 2023 in her Neoga, Illinois home at the age of 108.

Helen was born August 6,1914 in Piatt County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Walter S. and Ethel S. (Smith) Ponder. Following graduation from Hammond High School, she attended Illinois Normal College for two years and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1936 with a degree in mathematics. Helen accepted a position in Chicago with Armour and Company as a statistician. While in Chicago, she met the love of her life, Bill Short. Helen and Bill were married November 12,1938 in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1940, the young family, Helen, Bill and baby Janet, moved to Neoga, Illinois so that Bill could help his father with the Short Furniture Store. For the next 83 years Helen proudly made her home in Neoga. She called it the Best Little Town in Illinois! Some of Helen's many activities included china and oil painting, bridge, violin (at the age of 80), crocheting, and trips with daughters and daughter-in-law. She especially enjoyed trips with husband Bill to hunt for arrowheads and rocks and minerals.

Surviving are: four daughters, Janet (Stanley) Albin, Linda (Bill) Hanfland, Margaret "Peggy" (James) Stuntz, and Barbara (Kevin) Beals; and one son, William "Bill" (Jane) Short; grandchildren, Joan Elaine Albin, William (Connie) Albin, David (Katie) Hanfland, Mark (Sherri) Hanfland, Robert (Alexandra) Stuntz, James (Zoa) Stuntz, Krista (Greg) Ledington, Dana (Scott) Christensen, Dustin (Lynn) Lindley, Jesse (Katianna) Lindley, William (Kaylyn) Short, Christopher (Stephanie) Short; 31 great- grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister, Ruth Daugherty and one brother, James Ponder.

Memorial Services will be held Monday July 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the United Presbyterian Church in Neoga, Illinois. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until service time also at the church. Burial will be in Neoga Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Neoga United Presbyterian Church 704 Locust Ave. Neoga, IL 62447 or The Neoga History Room C/O City Of Neoga 533 Chestnut Ave. Neoga, IL 62447. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.