Russell Shelton

DEXTER, Mo. -- Russell Shelton, son of the late John Shelton and Ola Rutz Shelton, was born on April 15, 1930, in Dunklin County, Missouri. He departed this life Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau at the age of 87 years.

He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, owner and operator of Shelton Construction in Dexter for many years and a resident of Cape Girardeau, formally of Dexter.

Russell was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who had so much pride and joy in all of the family. He always had a traveling dollar for the grandkids when they visited.

Russell was always very proud of his time serving in the Marine Corps. He believed this always led to his strong character, and he certainly expressed this to his children and grandchildren. Russell was a very hard worker and was highly respected in the community. He built many homes in Dexter, which were definitely built with pride.

On Feb. 11, 1949, he was united in marriage to Juanita Slaughter in Piggott, Arkansas, and to this union three sons and two daughters were born. Juanita Slaughter survives of the home in Cape Girardeau.

Besides his wife, survivors include three sons, Gary (Debra) Shelton of Searcy, Arkansas; Danny (Darlene) Shelton of Dexter and Lloyd Shelton of Dexter; two daughters, Patricia (Dr. James) Byrd of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, and Diana (Barry) Richey of Cincinnati; a brother, David Shelton of Dexter; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by nine brothers and five sisters.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 pm. Friday at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Gary Shelton and Danny Shelton officiating.

Interment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Marines' Toys for Tots. Envelopes will be provided in the funeral home office.