Elbert 'Shorty' Franklin Combs

COMBS, Elbert Shorty Franklin  Age 89, of Swartz Creek, died Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Saturday, November 22, 2003 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek with Pastor Bill Arthur officiating. Interment will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery, where veterans honors will be performed under the auspices of Swartz Creek VFW/Am. Vets. Post #3720. Visitation will be held 6-9 PM Friday at the funeral home. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. Judes Childrens Hospital. Mr. Combs was born August 11, 1914 in Tariff, WV, the son of Samuel M. and Rhoda Frances (Dillard) Combs. He married Myrtle Hixson on April 10, 1972 in Las Vegas. Mr. Combs was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp. serving in the South Pacific from 1942-1945 where he received three bronze battle stars. He was employed by General Motors as a Pipe fitter retiring in 1976 after 30 years of service. Mr. Combs was a member of the VFW. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his yard. Surviving are: wife, Myrtle of Swartz Creek; eight children, Bettie (Bill) Arthur of Middletown, OH, Harold (Janet) Brady of Owosso, Thelma (Arden) Bradley of St. Joseph, Robert (Debi) Brady of Glennie, Sandra (Dan) Messick of Gladwin, Larry (Sandy) Krupa of South Dakota, Sally Sayer, Tom Hawley, both of Flint; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Walter Combs, Frank Combs; three sisters, Olive Tucker, Ann Dickerson, Macel Cokenour. He was preceded in death by: his father, Samuel M. Combs in 1971; his mother, Rhoda Frances Combs in 1983; brother, William Bill Combs in 1964; sister, Burnese Coffman in 2001. Friends may share their online condolences with the family at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.