Dorothy C. (Arbutina) Shortman

Dorothy Carol Shortman passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born at home in Girard, Ohio, on December 19, 1931. A daughter of Miles Steven and Virginia Komenov Arbutina, she was a proud graduate of Girard High School in the class of 1949. She married Glen A. Shortman on February 8, 1953.
Dorothy was known for her volunteerism and support of children. Dottie and her friend Marguerite Brown started the first Girl Scout Troop at Tod Woods School with 30 girls in various grades. Her love of Girl Scouting and the ideals of the program continued as she served in many capacities in the former Lake to River Girl Scout Council as a volunteer for over 40 years. Her “job” was serving as a 40-hour-per-week volunteer. She was the volunteer chairman for the annual cookie sale and spearheaded the first ever Million Dollar sale in the council. She received the highest award given to adult volunteers with the Thanks Badge and the Thanks II badge. Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Girl Scouts of the USA and made many friends through Girl Scouting from around the region and nation.
She was a loyal supporter of the Girard City Schools and was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Girard Board of Education. She was one of the founding members of the Girard Football Women and was the secretary of the club for over 25 years. Among the many clubs and organizations she participated in were the Tod Woods PTA, Girard Band Boosters, Girard High School PTA, and the Girard Alumni Association. She was a member of her neighborhood card club as well as the Mason-Miller Family Card Club. She was also a member of the Girard First United Methodist Church.
She will be remembered by her family: daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Randy Mason with whom she made her home; her son and daughter-in-law Glenn and Nancy Shortman; her grandchildren Erika and Bobby Imbody, Melissa and Geoff Misencik, Randy and Leah Mason, Katie and Evan Standish, Glenn and Rebecca Shortman, Laura Shortman, Carolyn Shortman, and Paul Shortman; her great grandchildren Sadie and Josie Imbody, Mason, Madison and Jackson Misencik, and Glenn “Trey” Shortman; her sister Ann Milkovich; her 1st cousin Geraldine Waller; and her daily telephone buddy, Pauline Beamer. She also leaves 3 nieces and 1 nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Glen A. Shortman who died in 1991, her sister Mary Arbutina Woodard, and an infant brother Steven Arbutina. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 10:00 AM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 5-8 PM at the funeral home. Dorothy will be laid to rest at Belmont Park Cemetery next to her husband.
The family would like to thank the caregivers from Comfort Keepers: Mary, Patsy, Carol, and Lakeisa, and also her private caregiver Karen,who helped Dorothy remain in her home for as long as possible, and also the staff members of Humility House Special Care unit for making Dorothy’s life comfortable for the last 3 weeks when she was moved into their unit.
Material Contributions can be made in memory of Dorothy to the Girard Alumni Association c/o 1244 Shannon Road, Girard, Ohio 44420