Cheryl Bernice Short

Cheryl Bernice Short of Prague passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the age of 91. She was born on October 24, 1931, in Oklahoma City to Glen Park and Bernice Elerick.

Cheryl graduated from Choctaw High School in 1949 and went on to the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing where she graduated with an RN Degree in 1952. She began working at University Hospital in Oklahoma City and also became a Red Cross nurse. Cheryl married her childhood sweetheart Merlin Ray Short on December 11, 1953. They were married for 62 years until the time of his passing in 2015.

In 1963 Cheryl made the decision to stay at home and devote herself to her family full-time. She was a Bluebird and Campfire Girl Leader for many years. She volunteered as a Red Cross Nurse and she and Merlin both loved to bowl and were in a bowling league for several years. Cheryl also loved to sing and sang in the choir at church. In 1972, Merlin and Cheryl moved from Oklahoma City and made Prague their home. They became members of the First Christian Church where they were active for many years. Cheryl was also a member of PEO Chapter AF and the Prague Historical Society.

Cheryl became “Nanny” to five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, and many memories were made as they grew up going to their sporting events, Boy Scout events, fun filled weekends at the lake or just playing Yahtzee or 31 at the kitchen table.

Cheryl was wonderful in the kitchen, loved to cook, and everything was made from scratch. For Easter she loved making Easter bunny cakes. She made sure you knew they were for a table decoration and not to eat. Family members and special friends received one of her bunny cakes every year. The Fourth of July was always fun with Cheryl up early frying chicken and making her famous chocolate sauce for the homemade ice cream. She always made every holiday, birthday, anniversary, or family get together special with her wonderful meals and desserts.

Cheryl also loved to fish. In the spring and fall you could always find her early in the morning or late in the evening out in the boat with Merlin or sitting on the dock fishing for crappie. She was also an avid reader and in the last few years most of the time you could find her with a good book in her lap and always a cup of coffee.

Cheryl’s heart and home were always open to her family and friends and we will always cherish those memories of our time together.

Cheryl is proceeded in death by her husband Merlin Short; parents, Glen Park and Bernice Elerick; brother Jerry Elerick; father and mother-in law, Clarence and Lora Short; and brother-in law Charles Short.

Cheryl is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Ernie Eastep of Prague; granddaughter Rachel Steward and husband David Steward and great grandchildren Carter Steward and Skylar Steward of Owasso; son Tim Short of Prague; daughter-in law, Heather Short of Oklahoma City; grandsons Jerry Short of Prague and Jake Short of Denver, Colorado; daughter Holly Davis and Fletch Rivera of Colorado City, Texas; granddaughters, Lauryn Davis of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jadyn Davis of Fort Worth, Texas; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Funeral services for Cheryl will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the First Christian Church, Prague, Oklahoma, with Pastor David Hand officiating. The casket will be open until service time and will remain closed after the service.