Harry Russell Shortt

Harry R. Shortt, 80, of rural Belvue, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009 at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. Harry was born on his family’s farm near Belvue, Kansas on September 3, 1929, the son of James C. and Bonita Belle (Russell) Short. He graduated from Wamego High School and then enlisted into the United States Coast Guard. His service in the Coast Guard ended in 1952, and he lived in Albequerque, New Mexico until 1957, when he moved back to rural Belvue to operate the farm with his dad. Harry was united in marriage to Betty JoAnn Lane on July 29, 1985 in Alamosa, Colorado. She survives of the home. He was an active and caring member of the Belvue community. He served on the Belvue City Council for many years, was a member of the Belvue Volunteer Fire Department, the St. Marys Farmers Union Co-OP, and the American Legion Harold Johnson Post 172 of Wamego. Harry worked very hard and loved his time on the farm. Other survivors include a son, Darrin “Scott” Shortt and his wife Tracy, of Port St. Lucie, FL; a daughter, Diane Ecker and her husband Alden, of Sequin, TX; his brother, James Shortt and his wife Marilyn, of Manhattan, KS; one grandson, Kameron Shortt; four step-grandsons, Codie and Tyler Fret, Leslie and Aaron Baker; four step-great-grandchildren, Logan, Hanna, Noah and Issac Baker; and two nephews, Steven and Russell Shortt. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. Burial with military honors will follow in the Belvue Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Wamego Senior Center or to the Belvue United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.