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.  Ed was one of six children, three of which died in infancy.

During his elementary years, he attended many schools. He attended high school at Galesburg, IL 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 32 ^nd Air Division, next to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, where he was a graphic illustrator and attained the rank of sergeant.

Ed was united in marriage to Anna Elizabeth Schaefer on Nov. 10 ^th , 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 to go to her home town.  To this union three children were born, Angela, Michael and Melissa.

Ed received his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1963 and shortly after he moved his family 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 road construction with Howard's Construction. He then purchased a local milk route which delivered to Mid America Dairymen and retired from this after 19 years.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; three infant siblings and two brothers, Thomas Jerald and Allen Earl.  He is survived by his wife, Anna Elizabeth; his children, Angela Rippy of Mtn Grove, Michael and wife, Kimberly of Ozark and Melissa Sigman and husband, Jerald of Cabool; 7 grandchildren, Tauscha Noble, Christopher Short, Adrienne Shick, Makara Payne, Aaron Sigman, Tyler Short and Kaitlyn Short; 13 great grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends.  He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Memorials:

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project c/o the funeral home or directly thru the Memorial Donations link on this page