Melvin 'Shorty' Hall

March 2, 1919-Nov. 25, 2007

WATERTOWN, S.D. -- Melvin "Shorty" Hall, age 88, of Watertown, S.D., passed away Nov. 25, 2007, in Watertown.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Steve Lauricella officiating. Marcia Jelsma will be the organist with Judy Everson as soloist. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with military honors conducted by Codington County American Legion Post 17.

Melvin Bartlett Hall, better known as "Shorty" to his many friends, was born March 2, 1919, to Avery and Edna (Hagwood) Hall in White Owl, S.D. He grew up near Peoria, Ill., attended school in Hope Dale, Ill., and graduated from Hope Dale High School. He farmed near Galesburg, Ill., for 14 years before entering the Army Air Corp on Dec. 22, 1941.

Shorty served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre as a flight engineer on B-17 bombers. In 1944, he was transferred to Watertown, S.D., to train on B-29 bombers which were pressurized and flew at a much higher altitude of 30,000 feet.

He met Betty Jean Vetter in 1944, and they were married on July 8, 1945, in Watertown. After his discharge on Nov. 6, 1945, Shorty worked for Beier Chevrolet and Sander Chevrolet where he had been parts manager, service manager and sales manager. Shorty later worked at Brekke Chevrolet in Clark for six years before becoming the Warranty Consultant at Sharp Chevrolet and then retired in 1988.

Shorty enjoyed hunting, gardening, dancing, cooking and spending time visiting with his many friends.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Codington County American Legion Post 17.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; four sisters, Charlotte, Violet, Eva and Eugenia; and one brother, Charlie.

He is survived by one daughter, Judy Ronke of Creve Coeur, Ill.; one son, Jim and his wife, Donna Hall of McCook.; one sister, Kay Horst of Cheyenne, Wyo.; five grandchildren; three step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren; and constant companion, Phyllis Gillies of Watertown, S.D.

Family and friends may go on-line to www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.

Announcement courtesy of Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook.