By Jason De Leon
Record-Courier staff writer
After more than 50 years of family ownership, the Shorts Funeral Homes in Ravenna and Streetsboro have been sold.
New owners Brad Crislip and Ron Spicer, longtime employees of the business, said they plan to continue the tradition of service established by the Shorts family in 1954.
"Even though there isn't a Shorts owning the business, it is remaining local," said William Shorts Jr., former owner of the funeral home.
"We selected family oriented owners," he added. "We did not want it to be part of a large corporate chain."
Crislip and Spicer have been co-directors of the funeral homes for more than 18 years, working closely with the Shorts family.
"Bill (William Shorts Sr.) gave us the opportunity to do things," Spicer said. "He didn't hold us back. He trusted us to meet with families instead of doing odd jobs."
William Shorts Sr. and his wife, Phyllis, purchased the large home at 141 N. Meridian St. in 1954 and began to operate a funeral business.
The house, which was built in 1903, was sold to the Shorts family by Edna Cole, daughter-in-law of its original owners, Harry L. and Helen Williams Cole. Cole was the sister of A.C. Williams, owner of the A.C. Williams Co. in Ravenna.
By 1974, the Shorts family expanded their business by opening the first funeral home in Streetsboro. The business was turned over to William Shorts Jr. and his wife, Deborah, in 1990.
"My father and I would like to thank all of Portage County and we would hope they support the new owners," William Shorts Jr. said. "We have tried to give back to Portage County. They have given our family good business for over 40 years."
The family has had a track record of serving the community of Portage County, serving the Ravenna and Streetsboro chambers of commerce, along with a number of other community organizations.
"(William Shorts Jr.) created a very successful business geared toward the families," Crislip said. "We hope to continue in that direction and keep the traditions the way they were built by the Shorts family."
William Shorts Sr. and Phyllis now live in Ft. Myers, Fla. They usually return to the area each year for extended visits.
Although he will be taking a few extended vacations, William Shorts Jr. plans to stay in Ravenna and remain active in the community, he said.
Crislip, of Ravenna, and his wife, Pamela have three children, Hailey, Cassie and Bradford. Spicer, of Rootstown, and his wife, Joyce, have two children, Kara and Alyssa.