Burial
Friday, July 25, 2025
2:30 PM EDT
Ft. Custer National Cemetery
15501 Dickman Rd
Augusta, MI 49012
(269) 731-4164
Map
Web Site
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
Portage West Middle School Band Program
7145 Moorsbridge Road
Portage, MI 49024
Please make checks payable to Portage Public Schools
Flowers
Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.
Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site
Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site
Life Story / Obituary
Ruth Short was a warm and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Modeling a lifetime of giving selflessly to others, she lived her life to the fullest. Ruth loved to celebrate the many successes of her close-knit family over the years. Her endless love will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who were privileged to know and love her.
Although the 1930’s were marked by tough economic times, the decade also saw an expansion of new technologies, especially in the areas of radio and film. Born to loving parents, they welcomed home their newborn baby girl, Ruth Evelyn, on November 29, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland. The oldest of three daughters, her birth brought great joy to the family home.
Growing up during the Great Depression era had a lasting impact on her life. Her father worked hard at construction and roofing to support his family and was known to use the rent money to sell apples and pencils to make more money. Ruth and her sisters, Martha and Gladys, had only two outfits to wear to school during these tough times. They enjoyed their family dog, Frisky, and helped around the house, but the overall theme of her early years was survival.
At the tender age of only 17, she met William “Bill” Short, who would steal her heart forevermore. The young couple joined in marriage on June 21, 1952. During these years Ruth worked as a Pastor’s secretary at her church. Bill and Ruth had many close couple friends. They had many adventures together with them and all the children. Bill joined the service during the Korean War conflict. They moved to Biloxi, MS and later to Oakland, CA where Ruth worked as a secretary for a doctor’s office. Their first daughter was born during this time. Bill and Ruth returned to Baltimore after the war to raise their growing family.
She and Bill were a good team when it came to raising their children. They balanced one another during these years as they offered their endless love and support for their family. Over their 65 years together, they enjoyed countless family gatherings and their role in their church family. As a mother, Ruth was known for instilling in her children the values of her faith, honesty and kindness.
Her food was always the best! She knew her way around the kitchen and enjoyed preparing food for her family over the years. Fried chicken, rice pudding and chicken pot pie were some favorites of all.
Ruth loved to sew. She was an excellent seamstress, she often made costumes for her grandkids. The most memorable ones were a Laura Ingalls Wilder and a Madeline costume. She was an expert at English smocking and known for her beautiful work and intricate designs on baptismal gowns, bonnets, dresses for girls and suits for little boys. She also loved traveling and taking road trips. A highlight was taking the family on a Little House on the Prairie themed road trip. They took in all the sights and enjoyed the endless views of the countryside. Her home was always open for childcare, and she enjoyed babysitting over the years. Ruth was extremely kind and generous. Her heart was often bigger than her wallet! She loved to show her appreciation by buying or making gifts for others.
In her 50s, she returned to college to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Ruth was proud of her work as an RN with Methodist Hospital in Houston for 10 years. She never drove a car but was known to ride a bicycle with a basket to work. When her granddaughter became a nurse, Ruth was honored to place her official nursing pin on her for graduation.
She held many special interests. Gospel music, Bible studies, gardening, cooking, and talking on the phone. Gardening became her favorite outlet. She was always tending to her flower beds and sorting her harvest of vegetables. She had a special knack for growing flowers, which she enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. At her condo, she was not allowed to plant or grow anything in the landscape. Ruth couldn’t sit idle, so she often broke those rules! Much to the association’s chagrin, she even planted a giant rhubarb bush and wildflowers which took over the yard! Ruth just loved to share her time outdoors nurturing plants and sharing the benefits of her time and resources with others.
After her retirement, she devoted her time to her grandchildren. She cherished their special visits and looked forward to hearing all about what they were accomplishing in their lives. In her later years, she had a walker that was famous for giving cat and dog rides. Eventually, her great-grandchildren would ask for rides on her walker too! These special moments sitting on her lap and taking rides will be lasting memories of her special way with them. The walker was also a place for tea parties with grandma in her later years.
Described as loving, considerate, and generous, Ruth was loved by her many special friends and family. Her wonderful ability to share so much of her time and resources will be a lasting gift to her family. May they always embrace the special love she held for each of them and may her memories be eternal.
Ruth Evelyn Short moved to her heavenly home on the morning of January 27, 2025. She was welcomed by her husband William “Bill” Eugene Short, her parents, Joseph Edward Hayes and Ruth (Wilkins) Hayes, and a sister Martha Ann Brown.
Members of her family include her four children: Ruth Ziegler- Venice FL, Dale Short (Sandy)- Ramsey, MN, Johanna Hyland (Lynn)- Kalamazoo, MI and Stephanie Velasco (Gordon), Kalamazoo, MI; Nine grandchildren: Natalie Husted (Richard), Nicholas Velasco, Nathaniel Velasco, Lindsey Kramer (Travis), Jenna Howland (Kyle), Christopher Short, Eric Hyland (Cecilia), Kristen Hyland and Cassidy Hyland; eight great-grandchildren: Lincoln, Emma, Judah and Silas Husted; Connor, Aubrey and Madison Howland, and Rosaline Hyland; her sister, Gladys Elizabeth Richardson, and many nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date. Ruth will be buried next to her husband Bill at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to: Portage West Middle School Band Program 7145 Moorsbridge Road, Portage, MI 49024
Celebrate Ruth’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.