Lylburn "Shorty" Dudley

A celebration of life gathering for, Lylburn “Shorty” Dudley, 88, of Knoxville, will be held, Friday, January 26, 2024, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to his family in care of his wife, Betty Dudley.

Born December 8, 1935, Lylburn Garth Dudley, often known as “Shorty”, was the 9^th child and second youngest born to Lowell and Alma Price Dudley. He was born in Iowa City, and grew up in Walker, Iowa. After graduating high school he went to Barber School and lived in Virginia near one of his brothers. He eventually returned to Iowa and trained as an electrician and then began working for Weyerhaeuser in Cedar Rapids as a maintenance electrician for the paper/cardboard company.  He worked there for 32 years retiring in the year 2000.

On February 4^th, 1967, Shorty was married to the love of his life, Betty McCaughey. They were blessed with four children and 57 years of marriage. After raising their children and retiring from Weyerhaeuser, Shorty moved to southern Iowa near Chariton where his dream was realized of owning a small farm that he filled with all kinds of animals. They included goats, llamas, ponies, chickens, ducks, pigs, cows, and sheep. He loved to go camping, canoeing, fishing, and playing cards with his family. They would often play 500, scat, rummy, hearts, and other games for many hours with his siblings and their families.  Yearly vacations were something the whole family looked forward too. Family gatherings were always looked forward too also, and this past Christmas and Thanksgiving was very special being spent with his grandchildren and family.

Shorty passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024, at his home in Knoxville. He will be missed by his wife, Betty; children: Angie Dudley, Leann (Terry) Habram, Deann (Craig) Lemke, and Bobby Dudley; nine grandchildren: Karleena, Joshua, Hannah, Travis, Logan, Brooke, Ashley, Halle, and Braiden; great grandchildren: AnaBelle, Lacius, Ruby Grace, Damian, Watson, Isaac, Ethan, Adalyn, and Rory; a sister, Maribelle Benesh; and many more relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents: Lowell and Alma; and siblings: Leland, Quentin, Elmer, Lavona, Rudolf, Maxine, Callie, and Kirk.