Freemont J. Short

Freemont J. Short, 81, of Freeport passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born on July 28, 1932, in Pulaski County, IL, son of Van and Zula (Miller) Short. He married Lois Borchardt on May 20, 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport. They were married 52 years until her death on September 24, 2007. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and was a graduate of Freeport High School Class of 1950. He was employed as a brakeman and conductor by the Illinois Central Railroad from 1950 until his retirement in 1992. He was stationed in Germany while serving with the United States Army from 1952 through 1954 during the Korean War. He was a founding member of the Free-Pec Investment Club and also a member of the Illinois Central Sportsman Club commonly known as "The Pit" Fraternal Order of Eagles of Freeport, VFW Post 988 in Freeport and VFW Post 0498 in Port Isabel, Texas. He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls fan throughout his entire life. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, watching any sporting event on television and especially watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events, dancing competitions and plays. He enjoyed cooking and was a Master of the Weber Grill. Freemont was a kind and gentle man who always listened and advised both family and friends throughout his life. He was a true family-man and he and Lois always went above and beyond uniting their families together to celebrate life's many gifts. Whether a holiday feast or a simple visit, together they turned an ordinary day into something special. They spent their winters in Port Isabel, Texas for over 20 years and made many wonderful friends and memories. He is survived by his three children: Karen (Stephen "Henry") Clay of Stockton IL, Thomas (Sue) Short of Caledonia IL, and Donna (Thomas) Daley of Janesville WI. Eight grandchildren: Erik (Jill) Clay of Madison WI, Andria (Rick)Daley Gordon of Spring Hill TN, Kara (Matt) Clay Searby of Sumter SC, Daniel (Robin) Clay of Phoenix AZ, Shaun Daley of Los Angeles CA and Alex Short, Spencer Short and Kelly Short all of Caledonia IL. Five great grandchildren: Bryce and Braeden Gordon, Hunter and Harper Clay, and Peytan Johnson. One brother in-law: Frank Dowd and two sister in-laws, Theora Huenefeld and Carol Borchardt plus many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lois, parents, sisters LaVaughn Dowd and Louise Mellnick, brother Conrad Short, and a brother in infancy, sisters-in-law Bonnie Short and Gayle Lobdell and brothers-in-law Jack Borchardt, Everett Huenefeld and Robert Lobdell. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Richard O. Schultz presiding. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Freeport. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. Monday, March 31 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport and at 10 a.m. prior to the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church. A memorial has been established in his name. Visit www.burketubbs.com to sign the online guestbook.