Joseph "Leo" Shelton

Joseph “Leo” Shelton slipped quietly away Thursday June 28, 2018 at Central Texas Nursing and Rehab in Ballinger, Texas, thus vacating his job as official greeter. He enjoyed sitting in the foyer and greeting all the guests who came in.

Leo was born November 12, 1920 in Plain Dealing, LA.  He came to Runnels County as a young child with his parents, Otis Sebe Shelton and Clara Etta Morris Shelton.  Most of his life was spent on a farm in the Crews area. Leo graduated from Crews High school in 1940.  He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 serving in the India and Burma theaters until Sept. 1945. He was a teletype operator leading to his interest in HAM radio which he monitored for many years. He was a very talented individual, a photographer who developed his own pictures,   a mechanic, a woodworker with four missing fingers to prove it, an inventor, welder, television repairman, and general Mr. Fix-it.

After the farm that he grew up on sold, he and his two sisters moved to Ballinger where he found employment with Mansell Bros until his retirement. He was a dedicated member of the Ninth Street Church of Christ in Ballinger, Texas for most all of his life.  His faithful service to the Lord Jesus Christ benefited his church family in so many ways.  He offered his time, talent, and treasures to further the work of the Lord.  His sacrifices for the Lord were evidence of his faith and love for the Lord and the church.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings:   John Wesley Shelton, Clyde Morris Shelton, Etta Lorene Shelton, Hazel Irene Shelton, and his nephew George Shelton.  Left to cherish his memory are his nieces Glenda Bryan and husband Joe of Winters, Dianne Bailey of Lewisville, Joyce Shelton of San Angelo, nephew Johnny Shelton and wife, Meriam, of Christoval.  Great nieces and nephews are Becky Airhart and husband, Paul, of Winters,   Doug Bryan and wife, Debbie, of Winters, Lisa Blake and husband, Charles, of Norco, CA., Chris Burns of Lewisville, Elizabeth Cox and husband, Scott, of Lewisville, Dub Shelton and wife,  Debbie, of  Galatin, TN, Dane Shelton of Decatur,  Blaine Shelton and wife Jenny of San Angelo, Tammi Peterson and husband, Steve, of Fort Worth, Katie Rae Peppard and husband, Reece, of Lubbock. Erica Scott of San Angelo, Jared Cook and wife Annette of Gainesville.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the loving care Leo received from the staff at Ballinger Memorial Hospital, Central Texas Nursing Home and Hospice of Ballinger. We are grateful that his last days were made comfortable by your care.

Services will be held 2 PM Sunday,  July 1,  at Ninth Street Church of Christ in Ballinger with  Max Pratt officiating under the direction of Lange Funeral Home.

Visitation on Saturday June 30, 6 to 7 PM at Lange Funeral Home,