John Sherwood Shelton, 85, formerly of Orson, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Garden View Manor in Elkhorn, Neb.
John was born Sept. 9, 1940, in Council Bluffs, to Sherwood Paul “S.P.” Shelton and Marcella Belle (Hughes). He moved frequently throughout his childhood, attending many area schools. John was an accomplished athlete who excelled in nearly all sports. During his senior year, he attended nine track meets and set five new records. As a senior, he won both the indoor and outdoor state championships in the Class C pole vault and placed third in the discus. He graduated from Modale High School in 1958, where he earned a scholarship to play football at Dana College in Blair, Neb.
John was united in marriage to Darlene Jean Guttau on Aug. 5, 1960, at the United Methodist Church in Missouri Valley. Together they had six children, eight grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. After moving so frequently as a child, John was determined to establish lifelong roots, and he and Darlene made their home in Orson, where they lived for more than 60 years.
As a young man, John worked various jobs, including serving as a lifeguard at the Logan pool and managing the theaters in both Logan and Blair. He began his career with the Harrison County Road Department in 1958 as an Engineering Technician and was eventually promoted to Technical Assistant to the Engineer before retiring in 2010. In this role, he interacted with many county residents and Road Department employees, building lifelong relationships. He had an exceptional memory of the area and was frequently contacted after retirement to provide historical information about the roads and other Harrison County locations.
John approached life with childlike enthusiasm and enjoyed nearly everything—woodworking, traveling, raising hogs, chickens, cattle, and horses, going on what he called “Pee-Wee Adventures,” listening to audio tapes about history, receiving visitors, playing Trivial Pursuit, and simply living in Orson. He and Darlene were excellent dancers and especially loved polkas. A gifted storyteller, John enjoyed recounting memories from his past, always framing every experience in a positive light. Most of all, he cherished being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and treasured time spent with his family.
John is survived by his children, Jeff (Julie) Shelton of Modale; Christy (Scott) Wiese of Omaha, Neb.; Mark (Tammara) Shelton of Pisgah; and Julene (Craig) Shelton-Beedle of Onawa; siblings Joan Hamilton of Council Bluffs, Janet (Buck) Buchanan of Haymarket, Va., and Janelle Peterson of Harlan; sisters-in-law Donna Harris and Sharon Shelton, both of Mondamin; eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his spouse, Darlene Shelton; infant daughter, Jacqueline Jean Shelton; infant son, Scott Allen Shelton; brother, Jerry Shelton; and brothers-in-law Richard Hamilton, Roger “Pete” Petersen, and Robert Harris.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 PM Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Church of Christ in Little Sioux, Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 2 PM.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home, Missouri Valley.
