ST. JOHN — Coiny Leon Shelton, 78, died Feb. 10, at Leisure Homestead in St. John. Born Feb. 8, 1936, in Calico Rock, Ark., he was the son of Coiny and Elsie G. (Moser) Shelton. In 1954, he graduated from St. John High School. He married Verda Barker and from that union they had four children, Peggy Guard, Gary Shelton, Vernon Shelton and Kathy Hall. He married Judy Elaine Hathaway on Aug. 14, 1970 in Wichita. She survives of the home. A life-long resident of St. John, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Mr. Shelton was a member of the former First Missionary Baptist Church in St. John, Midian Shriners, and was a 32nd Degree Mason.  
Other survivors include his four children; a sister, Anna Vee Searle; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and a constant feline companion, Mamma Cat. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson.  
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, at Minnis Chapel in St. John with Roger Cooper and Tom Harrison presiding. Burial will follow at the Fairview Park Cemetery in St. John. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or donor’s choice, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangments provided by
Minnis Chapel*
P.O. Box 34
St. John, Ks  67576
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Feb. 12, 2014