GREENFIELD
Linda Lou (Best) Shortridge, 81, Greenfield, went to be with The Lord on Thursday, November 4, 2021. She was born on May 4, 1940, in Greenfield to Carl and Mildred (Flatter) Best. She married her love, James Shortridge, on November 2, 1956.
To say that Linda was not an active, busy, hardworking woman would be an understatement. She started her family at a very young age. She was an at-home wife and mom for many years. To supplement income and provide for six children, she worked as a babysitter, a laborer in the local factories where she would walk back and forth to, then settling into housekeeping at Hancock Regional Hospital. Usually putting in extra hours and after a long day’s work, Linda always made sure there was more than enough food on the table to feed her entire family, ensured they had clothes on their backs, and provided extra change in their pockets to spend at the five and dime. She sacrificed much to instill in her children the need for a great work ethic. Linda, herself, worked until the age of 74. As Linda loved Christmas, she always provided the most magical of Christmas’ to her children. In Linda’s younger years, she enjoyed playing Yahtzee with the neighbor lady. As time passed, she enjoyed playing Euchre, cooking, reading romance novels, playing other card games, creating dried flower arrangements, completing jigsaw puzzles, fishing, camping, spending time at Brookville Lake, and watching nature and its birds. Linda was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Soon after the passing of her husband, she met another life-long companion, James Johnson, and together they visited nearly all of Indiana’s state parks, enjoyed the company of their four-legged dog companions, and looked forward to cooking large meals for the entire family. Not a day would pass without Linda reaching out to any one of her children. And when Facebook came along, she was sure to follow the grandchildren daily as well. Linda was indeed the glue that held her family together and will be sorely missed.
Linda is survived by her six loving children: Debbie (Dan) Uhlenhake, Bobby (Kim) Shortridge, Doug (Tammy) Shortridge, Bev (Rook) Khajenouri, Jeff (Aileen) Shortridge, and Sandy (Darryl) Dean; 15 grandchildren: Daniel, Kynda, Alex, Kale, Michael, Cory, Tabitha, Ariana, Matt, Ally, Amara, Chase, Clint, Annika, and Carly; 24 great-grandchildren; many nieces and one nephew; and loving companion of 34 years, James Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Shortridge; siblings: Bud Best, Donald Best, and Pauline McDaniel; and grandson, Dalton Shortridge.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 12, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, 1780 West Main Street, Greenfield, with the service immediately following, officiated by Pastor Jason Taylor. Linda will be laid to rest next to her husband and father of her children in Park Cemetery, Greenfield. If you would like to sign the online guest book or send condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.stillingerfamily.com.
