RAYNE, La. – Funeral services will be held at Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church, Tuesday, April 5 at 2 p.m. for John Ralph Shelton Jr. , 93 who died Saturday, April 2, 2011 in Acadia-St. Landry Hospital.
Interment will be in the Assumption of the BVM Cemetery, Mire, La..
He was born Sunday, April 8, 1917 in Guilford, New York, son of the late John Ralph Shelton, Sr. and the late Elsie Marie Shoales.
John retired from the USAF after 30 years of military service; serving during three wars at six military bases in the U.S. and overseas, bases in Iceland, England, France, Belgium, Germany and Japan. He was married to Sgt. Louise Lula Roach WAF in the Base Chapel, Mitchel Air Force Base. on Sept. 19, 1948. After USAF retirement he worked for Civil Service at the West Point Military Academy. He retired from Civil Service after 12 years moving to Louisiana to spend the remainder of his life on the family farm near Mire.
SMSgt Shelton received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African- Middle Eastern Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He belonged to Arceneaux Post 77, The American Legion where he served for many years as Chaplain, Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, National Rifle Association, Boy Scouts of America and was an usher at Assumption Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents John Ralph and Elsie Marie Shelton, and one brother Paul Frederick Shelton.
Surviving are his wife, Louise Lula Shelton who also served in the Air Force and son, Lt. Col. John R. Shelton III and wife Marina of Poquoson, Va., daughter, Loretta Shelton and partner Gregg Thomas of Sydney, Australia, daughter, Col. Lorraine Shelton Gaines and husband Cmdr. James Gaines of Helotes, Texas, grandchild, John S. Shelton and wife Niki with great-grandchild Shaiden of Kitty Hawk, N.C., grandchild, Mark S. Shelton of Kitty Hawk, NC, grandchild, Marybeth S. Shelton of Richmond, VA, and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Friends were received from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. until service Tuesday at Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., Rayne, La.
Contributions can be made in remembrance of John Shelton to Assumption Church Building Fund 6080 Mire Hwy. Church Point, LA. 70525.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.