Gertrude M. Short

Gertrude M. Short, 74, of Springfield, died at 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at St. John’s Hospice. Gertrude was born April 8, 1931 in Springfield the daughter of James M. DeFrates, Sr. and Frances L. Kern DeFrates. She married Harry A. Short, Jr. on April 7, 1951 at St. Agnes Catholic Church; he preceded her in death in November 1998. Mrs. Short was a homemaker and a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She had also attended St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as Villa West Chapel in Sherman. She was also preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter, Dawn M. Morris-Pullara, great granddaughter, Ava M. Jordan, and brother, James M. DeFrates, Jr. She is survived by three daughters: Linda A. (husband, Ron Cooley) Morris-Cooley of Petersburg, Deborah (husband, David) Riley and Theresa M. Gilmore both of Springfield; three sons: Kevin L. (wife, Alice) Short, Steven J. (wife, Susan) Short, and Brian E. (wife, Debbie) Short all of Springfield; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one sister: Ann Frances Oswald of Springfield and several nieces and nephews. Cremation will be accorded. Family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005 until time of Memorial Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1345 N. 6th St., Springfield with Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Holinga celebrant. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery on Wednesday, September 7, 2005. There will be a Celebration of Life following the Memorial Mass at the St. Joseph's School Hall, 1344 N. 5th St. Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, Springfield Office, 6 Drawbridge Rd., Suite 4, Springfield, IL 62704. The family of Gertrude M. Short is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.