Ronald Shelton

Ronald E. Shelton, age 86 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan died at Noon on Friday, June 28, 2013 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born on August 20, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to Ethan Brotherton and Rose Marie (Zimmerman) Shelton. He attended school in Reform, Alabama, and was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Army as a Paratrooper, moving to Berrien County in 1947. He was an employee of the former Davis Products in Niles, Michigan. He was a fruit farmer most of his life, and was retired from Shelton Farms, having partnered with his brothers Jim and Joe and nephew, Michael Shelton.

Ron was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. His love for farming was equally matched with his love for family. He spent summer vacations camping and traveling to Sioux City, Iosa to visit Ann’s family, as well as deer hunting in the fall and ice fishing in winter. Stories shared by Ron will be carried on for generations.

On September 4, 1948 at Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church in Chicago he married the former Anna Louise Nitz, with whom he celebrated last year the sixty-forth anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Shelton and by their children, Donald Shelton of Berrien Center, Sandra (& Bill) Brant of Benton Harbor, Daniel (& Jeanne) Shelton of Berrien Springs, Paul Shelton of Niles, Mary (& Stewart) Gruver of Stevensville, David (& Marie) Shelton of Berrien Center, Douglas (& Linda) Shelton of Berrien Springs, Ted (& Brenda) Shelton of Berrien Springs, and Timothy (& Chastity) Shelton of Buena Vista, Colorado; twenty-eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; Ron’s father, Ethan Shelton of Berrien Center, and Ron’s brothers, James (& Betty) Shelton of Granger, Indiana and Joseph (& Deborah) Shelton of Niles, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Shelton in 1988, two sons, Dale Shelton in 1976 and Tom Shelton in 1992; his mother, Rose Shelton; and by sisters, Jean Marston and Martha Ann Webber and brothers, Norman Shelton and Kenneth Shelton.

Visitation will be Monday, July 1, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Ronald Shelton will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at the Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles by the Rev. David Otto of the parish, and concelebrated by the Rev. William P. Melody of Notre Dame, Indiana. Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ronald E. Shelton may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church, or to Hospice at Home.

Facts

Memorial Donations

Memorial donations may be made to:
Saint Mary Catholic Church
Hospice at Home

Services

Tuesday July 2, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at Saint Mary Catholic Church

Monday July 1, 2013, 5:00 until - 7:00 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home