Donald E. Shorts

Donald E. Shorts, 99, passed away after a brief illness at his home in Crete, Illinois on April 20, 2023. Don was born January 27, 1924, at his grandparents' home in Ludington, Michigan, to Harold E. Shorts and Grace G. Browne. In October 1942, he signed up for a "brief" tour of duty in the US Navy. Pearl Harbor was attacked and, as he put it, "All bets were off." He ended up making a career of the Navy, graduating from Northwestern University, flying hot air balloons, blimps, and eventually taking off and landing airplanes on carriers. He served actively for 17 years and another 9 years in the reserves, retiring as a Lt. Commander. He, with his wife, Marion L. Shorts, did all of this while raising three children: Susan (Gary) VanLaningham, Kurt Shorts (deceased) and William (Ann) Shorts. Don and his family moved to the Chicago area where he worked as a Building Stone Broker. He was instrumental in creating many beautiful stone facade buildings in the city, including the recladding of the Amoco building. He enjoyed dog training, sports car racing, and sailboat racing (inclucing the Mackinac Race). A large part of his life was spent having adventures with his late wife, Irene Ganas. They traveled, raced boats, did archaeological digs, and vacationed in Florida. It was there, in Florida, on January 5, 2023, Irene passed away suddenly. He leaves behind an extensive family: Marion Laing Shorts, his children, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Don was a true Renaissance man. He will be missed. Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery with his wife, his father & stepmother, his son and his grandson. Date determined.