Ron's family will receive friends on Saturday morning, September 1, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a short service beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. A luncheon will be held following the service. Memorials are requested to the Lacona Fire and Rescue Unit. Born in Chariton, Iowa, on July 10, 1946, Ronald Lee Shelton was one of five children born to (William) Martin and Evelyn (Elmendorf) Shelton. Following graduation from Chariton High School in 1964, Ron worked at Ford for a few years before surviving a major heart attack and stroke in his early 20's. It was then that Ron began painting. Shortly after, he met and courted (despite her father's "mild" protests) Clarissa Drake. His lifelong partner, supporter, and love of his life, Ron married Clarissa on November 23, 1970. The couple became the proud, loving parents of three children: Ronda, Adam and Andrew. "Fondly" remembered by his siblings as fun-loving and supportive, Ron is also remembered best by all as being open, kind, loyal, generous, mindful, frugal, stubborn at times!, and hard-working. Friends often enjoyed his quick-temper, needing only to mention politics or the latest football game. Ron could make friends (and drum up business) anywhere; he never knew a stranger. Despite his medical issues (and supported by his wife) Ron became a farmer, realizing his goals of 1) adding acres to his family's century farm; 2) owning 150 head of cattle; and 3) buying a brand new tractor. Known widely for their honest, strong work ethics, Ron and Clarissa founded Shelton Painting as well, and were later joined as partners by their sons, Adam and Andrew. In addition, Ron was active in the Norwood Methodist Church for many years, as well as becoming a Mason followed by a Shriner. But of all his achievements, his most proud was his role as a father and grandfather. Ron thoroughly enjoyed life. He avidly followed live and online cattle auctions as well as the Knoxville sprint car races, and professional and collegiate football. Ron was proud of his own cattle, enjoyed painting the exteriors of all types of structures, and took great pleasure in besting friends and family at pitch and cribbage, as well as drinking a cup of coffee with friends and "that one guy." In later years, he and Clarissa vacationed with his brother, Richard, and wife, Marilyn; sister, Susie, joined them in recent years when all spent time in Texas as well. Always a family man, Ron's greatest joys were in supporting his children's and grandchildren's activities. No other reason could be given to quit a paint job early except for Friday night football games when his boys were in high school. In later years, surgery recoveries were vocally spent game-side for grandchildren to watch their football, basketball, soccer, and baseball games as well as wrestling matches. Ron passed away August 29, 2018 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 72 years. He was preceded in death by sister, (Evelyn) Louise Shelton; parents, Martin and Evelyn Shelton; brother-in-laws, Harold Stewart and Skip Nelson; sister-in-law, Judy Drake; and granddaughter, Carly Rose Shelton. Ron is remembered and survived by wife, Clarissa (Drake) Shelton; daughter, Ronda Shelton; sons Adam (Lacey) Shelton and Andrew (Laura) Shelton; grandchildren Asher, Hudsen and Evelyn Shelton, and Caleb and Cooper Shelton; siblings Eva Mae Stewart, Susie Hayes, and Richard (Marilyn) Shelton; as well as many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Visitation
SEP 1. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CDT)
Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton
914 Roland Ave
Chariton, IA 50049
[email protected]
https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com
Service
SEP 1. 12:00 PM (CDT)
Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton
914 Roland Ave
Chariton, IA 50049
[email protected]
https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com