Michael J. Shorty, Jr.

     Michael J. Shorty, Jr., 15, of Peoria, passed away at 6:06 p.m. on Sunday, October, 9, 2011, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.
     Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2011, at New Cornerstone Baptist Church in Peoria, with the Rev. Harold Dawson, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the church. Interment will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.
     Michael was born in Peoria on January 24, 1996, a son of Michael J. Sr. and Ruth Ann (Morton) Shorty. They survive.
     He is also survived by his sisters, Shaleacia Williams and Alexis Wood, both of Peoria; paternal grandfather, John H. (Dorothy) Shorty of Peoria; maternal grandfather, Cornelius (Aquilla) Morton of Peoria; maternal grandmother, Wanda White of Chicago; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
     Michael was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Rosetta Dotson, and brothers, Andreas and Andre Morton Jackson.
     He was a sophomore at Rolling Acres Developmental Center in Peoria and attended the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association’s Camp Free to Be. He enjoyed school, music, parties, car rides, wrestling with his dad and dancing with his mom.
     The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria Public School District 150, Easter Seals and the Make-A-Wish Foundation for all of their assistance.
     Memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
     Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria.