Eddie C. Shelton, age 72, of Marion, died Saturday afternoon, December 18, 2010, surrounded by his loving family following a two month battle with cancer.
On February 19, 1938, Eddie was born in Hardy, Kentucky, the son of the late George and Nellie (McGlothlin) Shelton. The family moved to Marion in the early forties where Eddie would graduate from Marion Harding High School in 1956.
Shortly after graduation, Eddie began working at the National Cash Register Company for a few months before being called to serve in the United States Army. He served for two years during peace time and was stationed in Virginia Beach and he often teased that he “fought the battle of Virginia Beach” while he was in the service.
Upon his honorable discharge, Eddie returned to Ohio to again work for the National Cash Register Company for several years. He then built custom homes until he was persuaded to go to work for Ohio Edison Company for sixteen years in the engineering department.
In 1966, mutual friends set up a blind date between Eddie and Joan Haley. After dating for several months, Eddie and Joan were married on April 28, 1967 in Winchester, Virginia. They have enjoyed every moment of their forty-three years together.
While working for Ohio Edison, Eddie began helping his father-in-law, William Haley, with his farming, and when William was no longer physically able to operate the farm, Eddie left Ohio Edison to farm full time.
He quickly found that he had a true passion for farming, and thought “it was the best job in the world.” For a few years, Eddie and William raised livestock, but were mainly grain farmers. This “city boy turned farmer” loved most everything about farming, especially being “outdoors and being his own boss.” An avid mower, Eddie spent many hours on his John Deere mower keeping the farmstead well groomed. It was only after the fall harvest that he was diagnosed with cancer.
Believing in the importance of farming, Eddie and Joan were proud to be the first family in Marion County to join the Ohio Farmland Preservation Act, ensuring that their farm could only be used for agricultural purposes.
A man with many interests, Eddie used to enjoy golfing, hunting, and fishing, but he replaced those hobbies with his love for Model A Fords and John Deere tractors. He loved tinkering with and restoring his Model A’s and on a nice day he thoroughly enjoyed taking one of them on a spin around the block. He was a member of the Shelman Chapter Model A Club, The Penn Ohio Model A Club, and the Model A Restorer’s Club (M.A.R.C.). A proud John Deere enthusiast, Eddie was a member of the North West 2 Cylinder Club and was a lifetime member of the Ohio 2 Cylinder Club. For years, Eddie had attended the Claridon United Methodist Church. He also was a long time member of the Marion Masonic Lodge #70, the Chapter, Council and Commandry, the Scottish Rite, and the Aladdin Shrine.
Having an amazing memory and recall, Eddie could talk with anyone on nearly any subject for hours. And when Eddie made up his mind about something, “that was it," and he made sure everyone “knew exactly where he stood.”
The most important thing of all to Eddie was his loving wife, Joan. For her, he would do anything, including building two homes for them to live in and enjoy. They especially loved traveling together, and have “been all over this big, beautiful country”. They made the most of every opportunity they had together and she will dearly miss him.
Along with his loving wife, Eddie will be missed by his mother-in-law, Louise Haley; sisters-in-law: Jane (Bob) Miller, Jean (Steve) Lemke, Janet (Tom) Kightlinger, and Dorothy Shelton; three brothers: Kelly Shelton, Dennis (Bette) Shelton, and Ricky (Haven) Shelton; three sisters: Clay Lee Burns, Glada (Jack) Bull and Judy (Robert) Lehner; and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and cousins.
Including his parents, Eddie was preceded in death by his father-in-law, William Haley; brother, Howard Shelton; four sisters: Freda Womack, Agnes Sellards, Ellouise Knutson and Mary Lois Hicks; and five brothers-in law; Woodrow, Jack, Dennis, Bruce and Max.
A memorial service celebrating Eddie’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 1:00 p.m., at the Claridon United Methodist Church, 4834 Marion Mt. Gilead Road (SR 95), Caledonia. Following the service Joan will meet with family and friends. Burial was held privately in Claridon Cemetery.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger and Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Eddie’s family.
Rather than flowers, his family asks that memorial contributions be made to either the Eddie Shelton Agricultural Scholarship Fund or to the Claridon United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Joan would like to thank everyone for all they prayers, support, good wishes and cards during the last two months.
For those wishing to express their condolences online to Eddie’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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