Everett Dean Short was born on December 12, 1927 to John L. and Virgie (Aschliman) Short in German Township. He passed away on May 29, 2020 at Fairlawn Haven, Archbold, Ohio.
He graduated from Stryker High School where he enjoyed playing baseball and saxophone. Singing in a young men’s quartet at church helped him see the joy and power of praise. He married Phyllis Fluckinger at her home in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, in 1948.
Vocationally, he started out farming for his grandfather, Bert Short. In 1951, he was hired to be the farmer at Salem Children’s Home in Flanagan, Illinois, and was later appointed Interim Superintendent.
He moved back to Ohio in 1958 and farmed with his father and brother Charles on a farm outside of Stryker which later became Riverside Greens. In 1969, he moved to Archbold and began selling insurance full time for Brotherhood Mutual and Mutual Security Life.
Dean made a commitment to Christ as a freshman in high school at a revival service. Upon sharing his experience with his Grandpa Short, he, too, made a decision to receive Christ by the end of the week.
Throughout his lifetime Dean volunteered in ministries at Archbold Evangelical Mennonite Church, the EMC Conference and Gideons. Upon retirement, Dean and Phyllis moved to a lake home in Hillsdale, Michigan, where he made many friends at the United Brethren Church.
They moved back to Archbold in 1998 to the Fairlawn Retirement Community. He spent many hours working at S&W Mills and volunteered at the Correctional Center of Northwest Ohio in the chaplaincy program.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brother, Charles, and sons, Andy and Phil.
Surviving are his wife Phyllis, son Mark, and daughter Linda (Roger) Andrews, daughter-in-law Hazel (Cookie) all of Archbold; Grandchildren, Matt (Archbold), Beth (Maumee), and Michael Short (Columbus), Emily (Jason) Coon, Orio, Spain, Tyler (Erin) Andrews, West Palm Beach, Florida, plus great-grandchildren, Damian Short, Brittney, Braden, Taye and Cooper Coon, Jack, Mia, Molly and Owen Andrews, brother Byrl Short, Exeter, New Hampshire, sister Marlene Habegger, Hesston, Kansas.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all services will be private. Interment will in the Lockport Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Gideons or Archbold Evangelical Church. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. Grisier Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with arrangements.