Emil Alfred "Shorty" Taraba, 85, passed away peacefully at BSW in Waxahachie, Texas, on Wednesday October 16, 2024.

Shorty was born in Ennis, Texas on September 29, 1939, to Emil and Bessie (Vrana) Taraba and was raised with a strong Czech heritage. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1957. On November 5, 1960, he married his first and only love, Ella Jane Skrivanek at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, and they made their home in Ennis, Texas.

Shorty was employed as a machine operator at Ennis Business Forms for nearly fifty years before retiring on September 29, 2006. Through this time, he not only provided for his family, but he also gave them endless love and support through faith. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church where he served as an alter server in his youth. He loved fishing, camping, working on projects around the house, and working on the family farm and caring for the cattle. He always kept his family on their toes with his stories, loved critiquing the Dallas Cowboys, but his favorite thing to do was to dance with his sweetheart.

Shorty, also known as "Paw Paw" to his family, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that always put others before himself and made everyone around him feel loved and cared for.

Shorty is survived by his wife of almost sixty-four years, Ella Jane (Skrivanek) Taraba; daughter, Elizabeth Marie "Lisa" Taraba; daughter, DeAnna Jean (Taraba) Blazek and her husband Gregory Phillip Blazek, grandson, Nathan Gregory Blazek; granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth (Blazek) Garcia and her husband Andrew Gabriel "Andy" Garcia; great granddaughter, Lillian Ella "Lillie" Garcia, as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family and friends.

Shorty is preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Joe Laza, and his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia (Pat) and Joe Dietler.

Pallbearers will be: Nathan Blazek, Andy Garcia, Gary Strunc, Chris Morgan, Paul Morgan, Nick Wensowitch. Honorary pallbearers will be: Miles S. Strunc and Randy Laza.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis with Rosary led by Debbie Vitovsky at 4 p.m.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 10 a.m. in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church with Father John Dick as Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made in Emil's name to Camp Summit, a camp that provides a camping experience for individuals with special needs. Donations can be mailed to 17210 Campbell Road, Suite 180, Dallas, Texas, 75252, or online at www.campsummittx.org .

Submitted by family