James E. Shelton
James E. Shelton
James E. Shelton
July 16, 1953 – March 26, 2017
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 63
James E. Shelton, 63, of Oskaloosa died Sunday, March 26, 2017, at the MHP Hospice Comfort House in Oskaloosa. He was born July 16, 1953, in Oskaloosa, the son of Everett and Alta Brown Shelton.
Jim graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1971. On July 25, 1975, he was united in marriage to Debbie Walraven at the Free Methodist Church in Oskaloosa.
Following high school, Jim worked for Clow Valve for a short time. In April of 1972, he started working at Vermeer in Pella. Jim had various positions there, his latest being a CNC machine operator. He continued to work at Vermeer until late in 2016, when his illness forced him to stay home.
Jim was an active member of the College Avenue Friends Church in Oskaloosa where he taught Sunday School and was a member of the praise team. He had a lifelong love of music. In 1974, Jim, his brother, and some friends, started a band. Jim was the drummer and was very talented. He played in several bands over the years the last one being Western Union. The band quit playing gigs after 20 years in 1994.
In addition to playing music, Jim enjoyed fishing, disc golfing, mushroom hunting, flying model airplanes, riding motorcycles, boating and water skiing. Jim enjoyed trying new things and had interest in various hobbies throughout his life. He delighted in spending time with his family. He was very concerned with everyone’s well-being, especially his wife and kids. He was passionate in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his friends, family, and acquaintances.
His family includes his wife of over 41 years, Debbie Shelton of Oskaloosa; two children: Josh (& Zoe) Shelton of Flathead Valley, Montana and Aimee (& Tom) Combs of Phoenix, Arizona; a granddaughter, Ella Combs; a grand dog, Taco; a brother, Richard (& Diane) Shelton of Oskaloosa; a sister, Elaine (& Willis) VanderLinden of Oskaloosa; brothers and sisters in law, Larry (& Deanna) Walraven, Rick (& Gloria) Walraven, Chuck (& Connie) Walraven, Jeff (& Cindy) Walraven, and Jeanne (& Troy) Poncy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend James Tower officiating.
Burial will be in the Friends Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Wednesday, March 29, 2017, after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with the family present at the funeral chapel Wednesday from 6 – 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be to Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America.
