Shelton, Donald

Donald L. Shelton, 70, of Rushville, Ill., died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at the Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill.

He was born May 24, 1935, in Beardstown, Ill., to Claude and Edith Shelton. He married Gladys Irene Hatchett Carpenter on Oct. 4, 1975, in Beardstown.

He retired as master sergeant from the Air Force on Oct. 1, 1974, after serving for 20 years. He received the Vietnam campaign and service medals, and the Bronze Star. He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad and retired in 1977. He was a member of the Ayerco Coffee Club. Family members say he was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is preceded in death by four brothers, Dave, Bob, Edward and Everett Shelton; and two sisters, Dorothy and Betty Lou Shelton.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Gregory Shelton (and wife, Lynne) of Rushville, Ill.; three daughters, Glenda Hileman (Jim) of Clovis, Johnnie Judah of Lawton, Okla., and Mary Lynn Reed of Mesquite, Texas; seven grandchildren, Michael Reeves, Larry and Kristopher Judah, Jamie Morton, Kimberly Miller, Shardai and Jarod Shelton; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold Shelton (Virginia) of Mount Sterling, Ill.; and a sister, Shirley Beavers of Mason City, Ill.

Steven Smith will officiate at the services.

Internment will follow at the Chandlerville City Cemetery with military rites by the Guthrie Pierce VFW No.1239 of Beardstown. Visitation at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, Ill., will start an hour prior to services.

Memorials may be given to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by e-mail at: [email protected]

Arrangements by Wood Funeral Home of Rushville, Ill.