Obituary

Laurel Joseph Short, 94, of Fort Wayne, passed away on June 23, 2025. Laurel was born on November 16, 1930 in Archbold, Ohio to Laurel A and Marjorie M (Beck) Short. He grew up on a farm constantly tinkering with radios and anything mechanical. He graduated from Napoleon High School (Napoleon, Ohio). He moved to Indiana and graduated with a degree in Professional Accounting from International Business College, Fort Wayne. A Christmas party at the Gospel Temple was the first meeting for Laurel and his future wife, Wyona. They were married March 17, 1951 and they were happily married for 74 years. Laurel spent time in the Army as an X-ray technician before heading back to Fort Wayne to start his business career. He was President of Town and Country Meat Packing, CEO and Co-founder of Kingsford Industries, and CFO of Harding Dahm commercial real estate. He was appointed to the White House Conference on Small Business by both Senator Dan Quayle and Senator Dan Coats. He was a member of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Indiana Small Business Council.

His hobbies included long distance bike riding, including riding in the Hilly Hundred in Bloomington, Indiana over many years. He was an avid Amateur "Ham" radio operator for over 60 years talking and evangelizing to people all over the world, including 55 years on the Sunrise Bible Study. Laurel and Wyona were blessed to travel the world, including 48 states, Europe, New Zealand, and the Caribbean.

Laurel's sense of humor and cherished storytelling will be missed by all. His love for and dedication to his family were unmatched. Laurel's love for Wyona (lovingly known as "YY" ) was an inspiration to all who knew them and a solid example of what a Christian marriage should look like. He loved the Lord from a young age being a founding family at Broadway Christian Church, more currently worshipping at Northeast Christian Church.

Along with his wife, Wyona (Meyer) Short, Laurel is survived by his daughters Denise Short, Doreen (Erick) Eastes, and Sandy (the late Phillip) Glines; his grandson Darren Glines; granddaughters Casey (Cody) Krueger, Madison (Andrew) Blake, Natalie Eastes, Samantha Eastes, and Roma Eastes; His sister Joyce Robarge; his brother-in-law Bob Carter; his sister-in-law Wanda Meyer; and his cherished great grandson Caleb Krueger.

He is preceded in death by his son Kerrwin Short; sisters LaVonne Carter and Judith Jane Short; his sisters-in-law Dorothy (Pete) Lee and Maralyn Barger; and his brother-in-law Dale (Carole) Meyer. Visitation will be held at Fairhaven Funeral Home (6557 N Clinton St Fort Wayne) on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Northeast Christian Church (4900 Stellhorn Rd, Fort Wayne) at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior. The burial at Concordia Cemetery Gardens, Fort Wayne, will follow the service. Memorial donation in Laurel's name may be given to Pacific Garden Mission (1458 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60607).

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