Melvin "Shorty" L Ames Obituary (1924 - 2013)

Melvin L. "Shorty" Ames, 88 years of age, of Wymore, NE passed away at the Wymore Good Samaritan Center Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2013. He was born on February 28, 1924 at Swanton, NE to Jess and Fay (Carney) Ames. Shorty served his country in the United States Army after being drafted in 1945. He and Berneice Cooley were married on May 12, 1945. Shorty had been employed as a youth at the former Beatrice Steel Tank Company, and then worked following his service in the Army at Dempsters in Beatrice, the CB&Q railroad with the bridge crew for 18 years, and then was employed with Union Pacific Railroad in Marysville for 8 years before retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Blue Springs Methodist Church and served as an usher; was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #25 in Wymore; and was involved with A.A. for 39 years. Shorty enjoyed woodworking, attending his children and grandchildren's activities, fishing, and hunting. Survivors include his wife Berneice; children Gary Ames and wife Joanne of Wymore, Alice Layman of Wymore, and Olen Ames and wife Kathy of Beatrice; 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson; brother Kenneth Ames of Beatrice; sister Beulah Lawson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and foster son Jim Whaley of Wymore. He was preceded in death by his parents Jess and Fay (Carney) Ames; grandson Scott Ames; brother LeRoy Ames; and son in law Turk Layman. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Blue Springs Methodist Church with Reverend Dan Albers and Reverend David Cramer officiating. Interment will be in the Blue Springs Cemetery. Military graveside services will be provided by the Wymore American Legion Post #25. The body will lie in state Tuesday from 11-9:00 P.M. at the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore, with the family greeting friends from 7-8:30, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Wednesday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. Wednesday at the church. A memorial has been established to the church. Sign Shorty's online guest book or view his video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. The Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore is in charge of the services.