Richard Leroy Shelton

Richard Leroy Shelton, 68, of Palestine, IL, died on June 5, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born January 12, 1946 in Robinson, the son of Arthur Shelton & Virginia Milburn Rush Shelton. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Richard retired from Ameren after several years of employment. He was a devout NASCAR fan, and especially enjoyed watching Mark Martin race. A proud veteran, he was a member of the Palestine AmVets Post #33, the Robinson VFW Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and was also a member of the Moose Lodge, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and the 21 Club. He married Marita Sue Patterson on October 29, 1966, and she survives. He is also survived by his children & their spouses, Kevin & Shannon Shelton (Yorktown, VA), Shawna Heldebrandt (Palestine, IL), Angela & Steven Heyde (Raymore, MO), and Gary & Stacy Shelton (Knoxville, TN); 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Janie Baugh (Lubbock, TX) and Diane Johnson (Marshall, IL); as well as several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Charles Milbourn; his son-in-law Carl Heldebrandt; and his brother, Larry Shelton. A time of visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Military graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th at the Palestine Cemetery, with burial to follow. Memorials may be made to the V.F.W. Transportation Fund, with envelopes available at the funeral home.