James M. Short, age 85 years, of Stryker, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 4, 2017, at CHP Defiance Area In-Patient Hospice.  He was born May 18, 1931, at Archbold, the son of Monroe and Dorothy (Nofziger) Short, and married Joyce Geesey on September 11, 1953.  A lifelong resident of the Stryker area, he farmed and owned and operated Short's Hardware in Stryker for many years, and was a salesman for Morman's Manufacturing Company of Quincey, IL, for 20 years.  He and his wife spent 16 winters at Ruskin, FL.  He enjoyed playing shuffleboard, fishing, and farming.  He was member of Solid Rock Community Church in West Unity, and the Gideons International.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; five children, Shirley (Ron) Zwyer of Stryker, Jack (Diane) Short of Towanda, IL, Bruce (Michele) Short of Stryker, Brian (Kristin) Short of West Unity, and Stacey (Paula) Short of Stryker; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Howard (Clarice) Short of Brattleboro, VT, Roger W. (Brenda) Short of West Unity, and Tom (Kathy) Short of Perryville, AR; and a sister, Ruthann (Roger) Rupp of Archbold.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held on Saturday at 10 AM at the Solid Rock Community Church with Pastor Randy Evers officiating.  Interment will follow in the Lockport Cemetery.  Friends may call at Short Funeral Home in Archbold from 2-8 PM on Friday.  The family suggests that memorials be given to CHP Defiance Area In-Patient Hospice or donor's favorite charity.