Norval “Shorty” M. Mathis, 84, Woonsocket, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2018 in his home.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, March 10 from 2-4 p.m. at the Woonsocket Community Center with a prayer service at 4 p.m.

Norval “Shorty” Monroe Mathis was born on Oct. 17, 1933 to Dewey and Alverta (Newton) Mathis.

He lived with his family on a farm south of Mt. Vernon until 1950, when the family purchased and moved to a farm north of Twin Lakes, where Jim and Luci Grassel now live. He spent the balance of his life farming and raising livestock in that community.

Shorty served in the Army from 1952-1955 serving a tour of duty in the Korean War.

He married Delores (Ischen) Grassel on Nov. 20, 1965, and they lived their entire married life on the farm south of Woonsocket. He loved the farm life, especially taking care of the animals. His favorite was taking in all the orphaned calves and raising them until they were big enough to join the other calves again.

He is survived by his step-children, Cheryl (Bill) Ball, The Villages, Fla., and Vicki Miller, Jackie (Everett) Evers, and Jim (Luci) Grassel all of Woonsocket; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter; sister-in-law, Donna Uhre; three brothers-in-law, Bill Ischen (Sheryl), Clell Scott and Robert Hendrix; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and children who called him Grandpa Shorty.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores; stepdaughter, Jody Forbes; his parents; three brothers, Donald, Robert (MIA) and Eldon; sister-in-law, Ardis June Mathis; and a nephew, Dwight Mathis

Arrangements are by Basham Funeral Home, Woonsocket.