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 on January 29, 2018 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 87 years.

He was a member of the United States Marine Corps, owner and operator of Shelton Construction in Dexter for many years, and a resident of Cape Girardeau, Missouri 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 United States Marine Corps.  He believed this always led to his strong character, and he certainly expressed this to his children and grandchildren.  Mr. Shelton 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 February 11, 1949 he was united in marriage to Juanita Slaughter in Piggott, Arkansas and to this union three sons and two daughters were born.  Mrs. Shelton survives of the home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

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

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

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 11:00 until 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 2, 2018. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday at 1:00 P.M. at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter with Gary Shelton and Danny Shelton officiating. 

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

The family request in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Marine Toy for Tots. Envelopes will be provided in the funeral home office.