Obituary of Mickie Lynn Short

Mickie Lynn Short, age 70, of Monroe, MI joined the angels in Heaven on Saturday, October 8^th, 2022 at Promedica Monroe Regional Hospital.  He had been declining in health for several years.

Mickie was born January 3, 1952 in Monroe, MI to Henry Elbert Short and Sarah Elizabeth (Williamson) Short.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam Era, retiring with an honorable discharge in 1969.

He met and later married Caroline (Sue) Leutz on November 10, 1972 at Monroe Street Church of God.  They have one son, Kevin M. (Margaret S. N. Low-Ken) Short.

Mickie was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a life and charter member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 142.  He was also a member of VVA Chapter 142’s L2MC (Last 2 Men Club) and the Frenchtown Senior Citizens Center. 

Mickie was an outdoorsman, and a former assistant troop leader of Cub Scout Pack 544 of Newport, MI.  He enjoyed camping in Maryland with his brother (Richard and wife, Walburga) and additionally in Northern Michigan and Ohio with the Jones family (Bernie and Nancy). He liked hunting in Hudson with his wife and friends (Mike Wilson, Tim Wylie) and later hunted in Newaygo with his wife and his best friend Larry Feikema.  He enjoyed fishing for salmon in the AuSable River and for perch and walleye in Lake Erie.  He participated with brother-in-law, LaVern Curley, in a fishing tournament sponsored by the VA’s V.I.S.T., where they won the trophy for heaviest catch.  The smell of salmon smoking was common in the Short back yard.  The smoker was always guarded by the family dog, Barney.  He knew he was going to get a taste of whatever was inside.  Mickie also made a variety of jerky from other successful hunts.

Cooking was a hobby for Mickie.  He was an incredible cook and specialized in Asian and Mexican dishes as well as in making cinnamon rolls and a variety of other delicious breakfast dishes.

Other hobbies were photography, wood working and building military model dioramas, many of which are displayed at the Vietnam Veterans Historical Museum at Heck Park in Monroe.  He spent many hours volunteering at Heck Park during the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and also the installation phase of the Huey UH-1C helicopter.

Vacations with special meaning for Mickie were a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Idaho, when he actually got his wife to fly in a plane for the first time.  Trips to a casino were also fun times, with a particular favorite being Indian River Casino in Manistee when visiting friends Larry and Jeanne Feikema of Newaygo.  Day trips and times spent with special friend Mike Pennington were always something to look forward to.

Mickie was a fun-loving person and loved to tell jokes while being an overall prankster.  Once he got with his brother Richard, they would tell jokes for hours.  On numerous occasions, when Mike Pennington was in the area, a new supply of jokes would keep everyone entertained until it hurt to laugh anymore.

Mickie is survived by his wife, Sue and son, Kevin (Margaret), as well as a brother Keith (Kathy) and a sister Grace (Kenneth).  Special surviving in-laws are LaVern (Marie) Curley, Stella Lafayette, Nancy Jones, John Leutz, Kathy (Steve) Fluharty, Bonnie Leutz (Chris Zboch) and Connie (George) Bruck.  Additionally surviving is god daughter Clara (Jones) Pilarski, of Nevada, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He will be missed dearly by his special pets, Tigger, Scooter and Lovie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard (Walburga) Short, sisters Margaret (James) Whitty and Linda (Byrle) Kuhl, as well as infant siblings Michael and Pamela, father-in-law Marvin M. Leutz, mother-in-law Anna A. Pribyl (Curley) Leutz, brother-in-law Harry J. Curley, brother-in-law Robert A. Lafayette, brother-in-law Bernard A. Jones and sister-in-law Debra K. (Lloyd) Trask.

The Short Family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital as well as Visiting Angels of Monroe, with special thanks to caregivers:  Doreen and Julia, and Right at Home caregivers:  Kathy H., Kathy C., and Tracy for all the wonderful care they provided to Mickie.

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Friday; October 14, 2022 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe, 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.   A Celebration of Mickie’s Life will take place at 11:00am on Saturday; October 15, 2022 also at Merkles.   Procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe for burial where graveside service will be under the auspices of Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1138.  

Memorial contributions in Mickie’s memory are suggested to Friends of Companion Animals, 2532 North Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48162.   Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.