Earl "Shorty" Roy Huckriede, 88, St. Marys, died at 8:45 a.m. March 15, 2011, at Otterbein Retirement Community of Grand Lake St. Marys.

He was born Dec. 4, 1922, in New Bremen, to Roy and Esther Wittenbrink Huckriede. On Dec. 12, 1944, he married Ellen Schierholt, who survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Connie (Don) Burgess, St. Marys, Jennifer (Stephen) Hays, Celina, and Christine (Ken) Koverman, St. Marys; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a brother Frederick Huckriede; and a sister, Lela.

He graduated from New Bremen High School in 1940 and served in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army 328th infantry. He received the Bronze Star following his participation in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1985, he retired from Midwest Rural Electric Company after 40 years as a First Class Lineman. He was a member of the St. Paul's United Church of Christ in St. Marys.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Ed Bray officiating. Burial with graveside military services will be at the German Protestant Cemetery near New Bremen.

Calling is 3-7 p.m. Friday at Gilberg Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen and 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the church memorial fund or to the Otterbein Retirement Community in St. Marys.