Earl Dean Shelton, age 76, son of Earl and Helen (Hayes) Shelton, was born Feb. 18, 1936, at Houston, Mo. He passed away May 19, 2012, at home in Bucyrus, Mo.
Dean was preceded in death by his father; one sister, Wanda Garrett; and an infant son, Bradley Keith.
He is survived by his mother; his wife, Joyce of the home; two daughters, Debra Shelton of Solo, Mo., and Brenda Allen and husband, Larry, of Summersville, Mo.; one son, Marvin Shelton and friend, Sarah Hildebrand, of Bucyrus, Mo., two sisters, Betty McKee of Bucyrus, Mo., and Janet Cole and husband, Eddie, of Houston, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Fairel Garrett of Newburg, Mo.; one grandson; five granddaughters; 12 great-grandchildren; one uncle; four aunts; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dean grew up in the Ellis Prairie community and attended Pine Ridge School.
Dean was saved at a young age during revival at Ellis Prairie Baptist Church and was baptized at Dogs Bluff along with several members of his family.
He married Joyce Nelson on Sept. 5, 1958. They had two sons and two daughters.
Dean worked in the timber industry for over 30 years and with his family, he farmed for several years, until in 1983 he was forced to retire for health reasons.
Dean enjoyed several hobbies; hunting, fishing, pitching horseshoes, he loved baseball, he was an avid Cardinals fan. He liked playing cards with friends and family and was always ready for a game of checkers. He loved gardening and enjoyed sharing what he grew with others.
Dean enjoyed “people,” loving large family gatherings, any chance to visit and enjoy the companionship of others. He had a gift for making friends with children, he always had a project in progress and a child was quite often tagging along.
Although many of the things he loved doing were not possible after his sight failed, he never gave up trying to find a way to do what looked to be impossible. Always making use of his wonderful sense of humor to bring him through the rough going.
Dean was a wonderful husband, father, son, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services were 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Ellis Prairie Baptist Church with George Beshears officiating. Pallbearers were Eddie Reynolds, Kevin Silveus, Kyson Garrett, Dustin Allen, Danny Thomas, Rick Wheeler, Robert Wheeler, Roger Wheeler, Jeff Shelton and Darin Shelton. Burial was in Ellis Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made to Texas County Hospice of Care, in his honor, in lieu of floral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
