H. Grant Shorten

 H. Grant Shorten, 84, passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Grant (Sonny) was born on March 24, 1940 in Cincinnati, OH to Harry and Nelle Shorten. Grant graduated from Indian Hills High School in 1958. At the age of 19, he was in an automobile accident, that almost took his life, and was in a coma for 1 month. After recovering from the accident, he went on to attend Ohio University, where he met the love of his life, Sara (Sally) Shorten (nee Smith). They married in December 1963. He then attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. After graduation, Grant and Sally moved to Mason, OH, where they established their funeral business. Grant worked as a funeral director for 50 years, helping many families during their time of grief. He raised three beautiful daughters and built a warm and loving home in Mason, OH. He remained in Mason, OH until his retirement. Grant and Sara then moved to San Diego, CA (Carlsbad). They enjoyed the lovely weather, dinners and walks near the Pacific Ocean and spending time with their daughters and grandchildren.

  Grant was a ham radio operator (W8PLR) OH and (K6PLR) CA. Many afternoons you could find him talking to other ham radio operators across the United States and around the world. He found great pleasure tinkering and talking on his ham radio. He also enjoyed genealogy and learning more about our family tree. He had a piqued interest in historical places and events. He enjoyed learning the history behind various towns across Ohio and other states.

  As a funeral director, Grant was always focused on providing the best service and compassion to the families. Grant was a man of great integrity, honesty, good morals and was very kind. He enjoyed working with Michael Ryan for many years. They had lots of good laughs together and Mike was his right hand man. Mike helped run the business when Grant was recovering from gall bladder surgery. The two of them made a great team at Shorten and Ryan Funeral Home.

 Grant was the beloved and devoted husband to Sara (Sally) Shorten (nee Smith), with whom he shared 60 wonderful years of marriage. Grant was blessed with three daughters, Christine Brannen Taylor, Elizabeth Sayre Ackhoff (Peter) and Susan Gardener Fort (Kyle). He was a beloved grandfather to Peter Grant Ackhoff, Ryan Alexander Ackhoff and Miles Sebastian Taylor. Grant was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Grant Shorten and Nelle Sayre Shorten, his sister, Barbara Kent (nee Shorten) ,Richard Kent and his sister in law, Sue Smith Gawchik (Bill). He is also survived by his sister in law, Marcia Smith (Wes) and many nieces and nephews from Virginia.

 Grant (Sonny) will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather who always took great pride in his family. He will be dearly missed by his family and countless friends. His legacy of compassion, kindness and integrity will remain in the hearts of those he touched.

 Memorials may be made in his name to the charity of your choice.

 Visitation: Tuesday October 8th from 5 – 7 pm at Shorten and Ryan Funeral Home 400 Reading Rd. Mason, OH

Funeral service: Wednesday October 9th at 11 am at Shorten and Ryan Funeral home with a burial following at Rose Hill Cemetery Mason, OH