"Lit a candle in memory of Mary L. Shortness"
In loving memory of
Mary L. Shortness
June 10, 1914 - August 29, 2016
Mary L. Shortness, 102, of London Mills, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016, at 2:50 a.m.
She was born on June 10, 1914, to Ernest and Sarah (Wolford) Luman, in Fairview Township.
On June 13, 1943, she married Malcolm Shortness in Tullahoma, TN. He preceded her in death in 2004.
Surviving are three children, John (Pamela) Shortness of Naperville, Janet (Ted) Mottaz of Elmwood, and Ernest Shortness of London Mills; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Vivian Luman, and two sisters, Evelyn Grice and Josephine Fleisher.
Mary was a graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelors Degree in Education and was an elementary teacher for twenty-seven years.
Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church in London Mills at 10 a.m., on Friday, September 2, 2016, with a visitation on Thursday, September 1, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Burial will follow the services at Lyons Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church in London Mills and the Mary Luman Shortness Education Scholarship at Western Illinois University.
To post online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.
Tributes
"The Fulton County Retired Teachers Association extends our sympathy to your family on the passing of Mary. A monetary memorial has been sent to the Illinois Retired Teachers Foundation in her honor. Again, please accept our sincere condolences. The members of Fulton County Retired Teachers Association"
"Your Southeast Ohio Family wishes to send our most heart felt condolences to Mary's family. We truly enjoyed visiting with her last October when we came to visit during the Scenic Drive and she will be greatly missed. We all have a great heritage to remember as being descendants of Jesse and Mary Luman and William and Mary Luman. We will be keeping your family in our prayers and thoughts during this time of mourning. Barbara Luman Crawford, Kenneth Crawford, Vicki Crawford and Rick Crawford."
"John, Janet, and Ernie, we are so sorry to just now hear that Mary passed away. We've loved and admired Mary since we were little girls! Our Mother and Mary were kindred spirits and she'll always hold a very special place in our hearts. We remember coming to visit when we were young and later seeing Mary and catching up with her at the Shed during the scenic drive. It was so nice to be able to visit with her in the hospital this summer and reminisce as we looked at pictures from days gone by. And Ernie, it was great catching up with you too! Take comfort in your memories in the days ahead. She'll always just be a thought away and her spirit will live on in you all. Heaven has gained a great one! Love and prayers for you all, the Dunlap girls: Kathy, Karen, Karel, and Kristi"
"John, Janet, and Ernie...Mary "saved my life" when I was in 2nd grade. My lunch had fallen into a puddle in front of her house so she quickly ran inside and whipped up another while I stood crying at the side of the road. She has been a part of our family's folk lore since approximately 1947. My mom was Dorothy Shreves, daughter of Pitt and Pearle Shreves. Mary and I have stayed in touch for many years and I will miss her very much. She loved her family, her beloved husband, Mac, and the farm where she spent her married life. You three made it possible for her to remain in her home and she expressed her thankfulness for that many times. May the Lord surround you now as you begin your journey without her, knowing that this is not the end, and that she is resting now from her labors. What a legacy Mary Shortness has left her family, her friends, and her community."
"Dear Mrs. Shortness: You are the woman I always wanted to be, just like you. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Having her as a teacher set my sights on wanting to be beautiful, kind and patient---That's how I saw her. A great human being-----I love you Mrs. Shortness--forever! Budde Ehrenhart Tokowitz"
"Mary was my mother's best friend (Jessie Burnett Suydam) Mary's husband, Mac, was my mother's nephew. Mary, Mac and Jessie all attended school together. Mary and my mother went to Teacher's College in Macomb for two years. I can still see them laughing and playing a duet on our piano. They played "Thanks for the buggy ride". She was with Mom right before Mom died in 1980. John, Janet, and Ernie - you took great care of her! She will always be special."
"Please accept my sincere sympathy. The Bible says that a person who lives for 80 years is especially strong. (Psalm 90:10) What a privilege that your mother lived for 102 years. Take comfort in God's promise concerning the hope of seeing her again and living with her in a world without tears where heartache and death will be no more."
"What a wonderful lady. Over a century of experiencing a changing world. The memories she left with many. She now joins her " 7up Girls" ( college girls who shared their life with each other via a traveling letter} for a new reunion. GOD blessed them all."
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"My fondest memory will always be her buying me a pair of red shoes! My mom was very ill she was in Barnes hospital and I needed shoes. As my teacher she asked me and I told her about how I wanted red shoes, she did not blink an eye after school she took me and bought me a pair. I loved her as my teacher, I loved her for her great compassion. Thank you Mary!!"
"She was the kindest, most caring teacher. A gentle soul. A beautiful lady inside and out."
"1 file added to the tribute wall"
"Wow, she lived a very long life, I remember Mrs. Shortness as a very caring and encouraging teacher! I have very fond memories of her as my 2 nd grade teacher , she has certainly earned her place in heaven! Shelley Davis Moothart"
"I met her when I was 4 years old. Class...Pretty sure that covers what I saw in her. Class of an era of dignity."
"Mary Shortness was one in a million. Such a caring and wonderful person.She was my daughters favorite teacher. Enjoy so much visiting with her on her 100th birthday party. She has earn her rest! Sally Borg"
"Mary Shortness was one in a million. Such a caring and wonderful person.She was my daughters favorite teacher. Enjoy so much visiting with her on her 100th birthday party. She has earn her rest! Sally Borg"
"From the Minnesota Lumans, thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We were blessed to have visited Mary in her home last summer for dad's (Charles Luman Sr) 80th birthday."
"We have lost a local National Treasure! What a delight and honor to have had Miss Mary as a friend and neighbor. Never was there such a sweet and gentle lady as Mary. Godspeed, dear friend. John, Janet, and Ernie, thanks for sharing your Momma with us! You are in my prayers, Joy Nuesken-Pickett"
"Beautiful lady. Enjoyed her as my teacher"
"Enjoyed visiting with her. She was a true lady. My neighbor for decades. Another empty house on hwy 116. She is with her Savior."
"Thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow. Randy and Rosie Hurst."
"Sending my Deepest Sympathies to the families of Mary!!! She was a wonderful and enjoyable teacher and person!! May she rest in Peace!!"
"Mrs. Shortness was everybody's favorite teacher. I don't think she ever raised her voice. Later she was a wonderful friend that I enjoyed talking to. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Much sympathy to John, Janet, and Ernie. Kim Schisler"