Ronald H. “Shorty” Burkett, 79, Springfield, left this life on August 31, 2012, after a courageous battle of 5 years with a spinal disease. Shorty was born on March 8, 1933, in Metalton, AR, to Howard and Erma (McKinney) Burkett. He married Cathy Werdeman on December 14, 1969, and they were blessed with two sons, Kevin and Ronald.
Shorty was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church for several years. He was baptized at an early age at Metalton Baptist Church in Metalton, AR. Shorty retired as Corrugator Supervisor from Smurfit-Stone Container, formerly Horner Box Company, after 35 years of service. Anyone who knew Shorty knew how much he loved fishing and could hardly go anywhere in Springfield that he didn’t know someone who he considered a friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Ronald Steven Burkett; a brother, Donald Burkett, and an infant brother Johnny Burkett. Shorty is survived by his wife and best friend, Cathy, son Kevin Burkett of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, John Christian (Amie) Burkett, of Springfield; Jason (Stefanie) Burkett of Nixa; and Stephanie (Danny) Ellis of Springfield; 8 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Betty Burkett, a niece Julie both of Fort Worth, TX, and daughter-in-law, Frankie Burkett.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.