Dave Shelton made a huge impact on my life. There have been many times when my father and I haven't spoken, and Dave has just somehow  filled that void for me . He never judges, always gives and loves his family. He puts everyone else first...a Sagittarius of course,like me!

When I first met my husband(Dave) we would go on roller coasters alot. My husband told me a story that he got his Dad to go reluctantly on a huge coaster and when the ride was over, his Dad said "I'm gonna  kill you!".So every time we ride a roller coaster we always say that to each other and laugh!
I guess life is like a roller coaster with it's ups and downs. I will never forget him and what Nellene and Dave have done for our family. We love you and miss you.

Your daughter-in-law
Christie  xo

I am grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing Dave Shelton.He was intelligent, sincere ,kind and had a good sense of humor.
I knew him as a generous man who always had a seat at his family table for me...I was never alone for the holidays. He and Nellene always opened their home and hearts to me.
Dave and Nellene were the best cooking team.I am reminded and will never forget the best meals prepared at the Shelton home and the precious memories that I have of being together with them.
Most of all, I will always think of the admiration that I had for them. Dave was devoted and loving to to his dear wife Nellene. They were best friends and help mates to each other. They were an example of true and faithful love to us all.
Dave was a devoted father. He loved his children and grandchildren.Dave was an example of a dad to Christie.Nellene loved her and taught her many interesting things on how to be a mom.
Dave was a man of determination and he was a fighter! He fought the fight to live. Never complained and kept perservering to the end.He really didn't lose the battle, he won the best part. Life Eternal, no more pain,no more sorrow. He lives in Glory's Light and in our hearts.Dave's example of facing up to medical problems and having hope was admirable. He refused to give up. .His messaga to all of us : Never give up , life is tough. Never lose sight of hope.
Dave's Special Gift to us all is that we should continue to be a true and loving family, friend to all, and to love one another.

Gail D'Andrea
 Christie's Mom and Family friend

From the time I can remember I used to call grandpa...PAPA!!! I loved him very much and loved to help him in the backyard. My favorite was the wheelbarrel and the garden tools I should of NOT played with!! We would also play with Nerf Guns and he wanted one of his own. I will miss him, and even though I am little I will remember him forever !! Your Grandson, Justin xxxooo

I have six uncles and although I cared for each one, I have to say out of the six, I only cherished two of them. Uncle Dave was one of the of the two. I loved his beautiful personality and character. I adored his love for his family.

At one of the Shelton reunions, I can still remember seeing the glow on his face  when talking about his first grandchild, David Starcher. As a child I was envious of Uncle Dave's two children, because I secretly wished he had been my father,too. I'll love and miss him always .

Debbie Phinney 
Niece

In remembrances of a very special person who I had the privilege to call my Uncle, I hold many fond memories. Memories of my childhood, spending summer vacations visiting and swimming in the pool,which I loved, and my first trip to the Miami Zoo, just to name a few. Most all, I appreciate Uncle Dave (and Aunt Nellene) for taking me under his wing for a short period in a very difficult time in my life. I will be forever grateful and will never forget. My Uncle Dave is a perfect representation of a loving, caring, genuine,loyal, selfless person created by God. I feel blessed to have had him in my life.

I love you Uncle Dave and you will truly be missed.

Stephanie Staton
Niece

I met Dave when I was a junior in high school(1958). He graduated from Elkville High School in Elkville, Illinois (1957). He had recently moved to Florida.

I must confess, it was love at first sight! I instantly liked him because of his great smile and later his sense of humor.

We dated until I graduated from Avon Park High School in 1959. That summer I attended the Radiologic Technology Program at Jackson Memorial 
in Miami Fl. I completed my training in July of 1961. We got married March 16,1962.
 

I always felt that Dave was the man for me. Fifty years later, I know that I picked a WINNER!

He was a loving husband, father and friend. He left me with a legacy of good times and wonderful memories. He is missed by me,our children,grand- children and great grandchildren. Our memories help us cope with our loss.

His loving wife, Nellene
(I'll meet you in Sanibel at the West Wind Inn,Bye LUV!)

Memories collected by Marilyn and Gary Cochran:

* Delmar (David's brother) stated that David was always his Mom's favorite.
* Donna Shupe (one of David's cousins who was the twin sister of" Ducky"   
 (Donald Cochran) said that David was a very friendly and nice looking guy. 
*Bob Cochran (cousin) said that he went to watch David play softball at the 
  4H Club Park on many occasions.
 *Aunt Glady's brothers were: Jessie Cochran, Henry Cochran, Anson    
  Cochran, Burl Cochran, Elmer Cochran and Garnett Cochran.
 *Gary Cochran :  I frequently stayed overnight at Aunt Gladys's home. I 
  have many good memories and good times from those visits. David had 
  to work whenever and where ever he could find a job. They were a poor 
  family but that didn"t seem to bother them. They were happy. David 
  was well liked in school. He was a very smart student and made good 
  grades.

David was a  fun person to be around,especially at the Opry at Edgewood. David, Bob and Lynda went with Carolyn and Delmar several times but this particular time was extremely funny! David couldn't control his laughter as a lady was TRYING to sing He Touched Me. So he went outside and before long Bob and Lynda had to go outside too. Bob and Lynda still have trouble trying not to laugh when they sing that song at church.  

David was telling us about staying at a motel next to the Hampton Inn so he went and had breakfast at the Hampton Inn instead of where he was staying, said it was good and no one knew he wasn't staying there. We all shamed him but had a good laugh about it.
Bob and I could tell lots of funny stories about eating at different places while while we were together for the Shelton reunions.
Jim and Peggy had the reunions at their house the last several times.They always took everyone to a Mexican Food restaurant that had yummy margaritas and David would always ask when we were going to eat Mexican and drink those yummy margaritas.
David and Nellene ,Bob and Lynda stayed at the Holiday Inn in Marion at one reunion and had a  fun time just talking, eating, driving around and did what we wanted ,it was a great time. David brought the family sometimes and it was always good to see them. 
Bob and I have many memories of David and we will miss his smiling face. We loved him.

Bob and Lynda Shelton
Brother and Sister in law

When I was in my early teens I was never introduced to Dave, but I knew who he was. When I was 12 or 13 , Dave seemed to be a 9 foot tall giant. On occasion I would go to Cindy's window to talk to her in the middle of the night. I thought I was being slick and didn't think anyone knew I was sneaking into her back yard. One particular night I was at Cindy's window as I had done many times before, when the security lights came on. Mind you, these lights had never come on before or with such intensity. At that moment I thought I was dead. It was only a matter of time before this giant of a man came running around the corner to catch me at his precious, innocent (cough, cough) daughter's window. He was either going to thank me for keeping the neighborhood safe or beat me half to death and I was not going to stick around to find out which it was going to be. 

I chose the most direct route out of the yard and at the time it was a wall of ficus hedges. I made my way through the hedges and never looked back.  
 
I never saw Dave , I never heard Dave,but years later to  hear him tell the story(laughing the whole time) he said I ran through the yard and through the hedges so fast I left a cartoon outline. At the time I didn't see the humor in any of this.  

Kevin Landry
Cindy's good friend and later ours too!

Delmar and I were dating and this was how I met David(Not the way I wanted to meet him)! 

We had gone out to the farm to visit with his folks and Delmar had borrowed his Dads car. He came to get me on the way to visit with his family. On the way to farm , we took a turn into the woods(we were young).We were going to leave and Delmar ran the car upon a wagon that was in back of the car and we were stuck on the wagon. Delmar tried to move the car but we were hung up.So, he walked to get help to get the car off the wagon while I sat in the dark,scared. Here he came back with David just a laughing, not funny to me! David was laughing so hard while he was driving the tractor to get the car off the wagon. I can still hear him laughing!

That's one of the many things I remember about David. I always will remember David as the best brother-in -law to me and he will have a place in my heart forever. He was the best guy in the world and I loved him with all my heart.

Carolyn and Delmar  Shelton
Sister in law & Brother

When we were growing up on the farm in Illinois,David and Bob used to play with cars under the back porch. Mom and Dad had to put a stop to that because they were undermining the props under the porch.He was a pretty good brother except for the times he teased me until I cried and then he laughed. Mom would get after him. He then proceeded to do his teasing at the bus stop.
David was in the 4H Club and showed vegetables he grew. He won many ribbons. He played softball for the 4H Club. We all liked to play softball in front of our house after the farmer harvested his crops.
David and Bob liked to dress alike in white T-shirts and black pants. The pants had to have a straight line down the front.
We moved to Florida in October of 1957. He got a job and began hanging around with his pal Jimmy Houpe. The rest is history.

Janet Jones and Mary Etta Macke , 
Dave's sisters

Grandpa would always tell me that I was his favorite granddaughter. I was so happy until at age 5or6,I realized that I was his ONLY GRANDDAUGHTER! The next time he said that..I told him "I'm your only granddaughter".He laughed until he cried.It was a "gotcha moment".                      

Another incident I remember was (as an aspiring artist) I drew a stick picture family of all of us. Later in the day, Grandpa told me "no" when I asked to go outside (it was getting dark). I gave him (as I was told)a closed eyebrow frown. I promptly found the the picture and crossed him out of it.So there! Grandma showed him what I did...Grandpa laughed until he   couldn't! Grandpa was the best grandpa EVER!

Brianna Starcher,
HIS ONLY LOVING GRANDDAUGHTER

A few thoughts about Dave Shelton. I had known Dave for 8+ years.During this time I was in a personal relationship with his wonderful daughter Cindy.On first meeting Dave, he was very cordial. He had an easy way about him which I liked right away.From very early on I could tell that his family was the most important thing to Dave. He loved having his family with and around him. If any anyone of his family or friends needed a helping hand, he would be there for them. Dave was an honest individual and had a strong sense of fair play. He expected the same from those he interacted with. He was the type of guy that would be there for you if you needed him, but if you lied to him or screwed him in any way,that would be the end of it. He definitely was a straight shooter and would tell like it was. No beating around the bush. As I got to know him better,I realized just how quick witted he was. He was very sharp with a well developed grasp of the English language and vocabulary. If someone said something that didn't make sense or was incorrect, Dave would sometimes say something(often with sarcasm thrown in for good measure if you deserved it) that could leave that person standing there wondering if they had just been zinged. It would make me laugh. He had a great sense of humor that I enjoyed and will miss very much. Dave always made me feel welcome.I enjoyed talking with him and being around him. I am grateful to have known Dave Shelton, my life is richer for it. He is and will be missed. 
 Pete Rosario, Family friend

 I met Dave when he had curly hair. I think he was the first guy I met that had a perm.It looked good on him.So did his smile.He had the biggest,warmest smile. There was a few things that stand out in my memory. One was when we were at a party at Dr. Cunningham's house. Cindy was babysitting for me and Carol Blagg. Well, our men decided to drink too much and passed out at Carols house. Then as we were attempting to get Cindy home ,we got a flat. Ken and Don were useless so we had to call Dave to rescue us. I think it was the only time I saw him not smiling. But he graciously came over, fixed the tire and brought Cindy home. We should have paid him as well as Cindy. 
  Then there was the infamous birthday party at Ruth's Chris. You were turning 60 and Ken 50.Best $100.00 dinner I ever had. We were belly laughing through the whole dinner, unbecoming a high class place like that,but it was so much fun.    
  We weren't able to get together much but whenever we did,Dave and Ken had alot of fun together.They had the same sense of humor and were able to feed off each other. I miss that.No doubt he's telling a few good ones in heaven.
  
 Pat Allen   
 Family friend

 Knowing my friend Dave was a special joy to me because his serene nature..so tranquil,dignified and friendly. He radiated humor and laughter in telling the memorable story about how he met and dated Nellene. Sometimes I would discuss my retirement vacations and holiday plans, Dave would interject his plans, " I would prefer spending time with my family,children and grandchildren on holidays and vacation time". Yes,Dave's family was and still is very dear to him. Knowing my dear friend Dave has been an honor.  

Rachel Comnos, family friend

 
  What I remember about Dave: 
   There is alot to say...
   
   He was a sweetheart,he never let anyone down.  
   He was like a grandfather to me,he even called me his mexican granddaughter.
   
     
   I thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet such a wonderful person. 
   I admired his strength,his desire to live and always with a smile. 
   He will be missed...   
   
   Lucy, coworker and friend

   The passing of David Shelton was a great loss to all the family. He was well liked by all who knew him. He made friends easily.
    The family was his first love and much was planned around his family. .   I recall the night Dave,Nellene,Sheryl and myself went fishing from the bridge at Spanish River Boulevard.(It crossed the intercoastal waterway between Boca and Delray.) We were fishing for moonfish using small live shrimp. We all caught fish and a good time was had by all.It was about March and the weather was beautiful .You could smell the ocean spray close by. This was just one of the wonderful times we had together.
    One summer Dave, Nellene and my family went on vacation to the mountains of North Georgia and North Carolina. We were packed with the usual things, so we took separate cars. 
    Our first stop was at Dahlonega Georgia where we went to Gold Miners Camp to pan for gold. The sand and gravel was dredged by pumps from the river bottom and sold to the tourists for .25 cents a bucket.
    We learned quickly how to work it down in the pan to often reveal small gold flakes and small nuggets. There wasn't enough to get rich but we had a good time sitting in the shade of the cherry trees.
     While in Dahlonega we took in the North Carolina Mountain Fair
There was plenty of non-commercial exhibits and lots of mountain music.We also dined on trout dinners...oh so delicious!
      One memory was at the motel where we stayed. We had separate adjoining units with chairs out front in a beautiful garden where humming birds were at work on the red flowers. Dave will be remembered as a fun loving family oriented husband,father and friend who will always be cherished.    
 
Uncle Jack LaFlam         
Okeechobee, Fl.

Mr. Shelton made a significant impact on both of us and enriched our lives in so many ways. Having the opportunity to be part of his journey was both a blessing and an honor. From opening his home to us, to helping us fix up ours, to feeling his own on one margarita, to making us feel as one of his own.He may be gone from our sight, but his sprit will forever live in our hearts.

 When I think of Uncle Dave, the one thing that comes to my mind the most has to be his BIG smile and his great big laugh! He had such a big heart and a good sense of humor. He was a wonderful person and was loved very much and will be missed! RIP Uncle Dave! We will see you again. 

Lori Ridley 
Niece

My memories of Dave are great memories. When I would go to visit Nellene and Dave, he was a great host. One of my visits was with my daughter Stephanie and her family. My granddaughter, Stephanie Jr., needed to be entertained. She was about seven months old.Dave gave her a magazine to look at. She tore it into hundreds of pieces. Dave's comment was, "boy they can develop a personality at such an early age!" Then he just smiled.     
  Dave was a good family man. I could tell his family was very important to him 
  Dave was easy to talk to and always complimentary to Nellene. Anyone could tell his deep love for Nellene. 
   Our last visit with Dave , Nellene and all of his family was at Sanibel Island in June of 2012.I went with my daughter Stephanie and all of her family. When I walked up to Dave he was in the pool at their motel. Dave said,"this is living the life". DAVE WAS HAVING A GOOD TIME. Our visit was wonderful. It will be a good long lasting memory. Dave was a person you would love to be around. I have fond memories of Dave. I have been blessed to know such a wonderful person in my life.                                   Linda Bateman, Friend and mother to Lori and Stephanie

My first memory of Dave was when I was 12 years old. Cindy and I met in 7th grade and became instant best friends and she invited me for a sleepover at her house. I remember sitting at the dinner table and her dad had asked if I wanted anymore to eat ? I answered very quitely and said. "no thank you." "Are you too good for left overs???" Every time I would spend the night after that he would ALWAYS  bring up the LEFT-OVERS."  Dave turned out to be like a second father to me. Being that my Dad lives in Illinois I didn't get that father figure in my life; but Dave helped fill that void for me. I knew I could go to him and ask anything. I would spend many of nights at their house and kind of became a part of the Shelton family. He always treated me like one of his children too; especially the time when Cindy and I would try to sneak in her house after hours and trying to be very quiet only to come face to face with a "not so happy Dad." He would chew me out (along with Cindy) like one of his own.  When in High School he would call me Penny Weinstein because I would beg him all the time asking if Cindy could spend the night or if I could spend the night with them. Even when Cindy would be grounded(or myself ) somehow Dave would always "cave in " and allow us to see each other again(Maybe because I whined so much.) Deep inside he was a "softy" ! Dave always treated my children like "his" grandchildren. They would even call him grandpa. My daughter Karen used to tell me "I know he's not my real Grandpa...but he kind of is right?? He doesn't mind Jimmy and I calling him that does he?" And I would tell her " he wouldn't want it ANY other way!"Penny Starcher Family Friend (our second daughter)

I have years of memories that I will never forget from my grandfather. Where to start, well lets start with shirts with my picture on them. Every year we would go to the mall and have a shirt made with our picture on it. He would wear it to every football game I played in. When you're 7, it's ok but when you are in High School not so much. I always knew he would be there and my friends all let me know he was there to. Another thing I will remember is playing games with him. Shoots and Ladders to Gin Rummy. Whenever someone else would win he would always say you're cheating somehow. Holidays were always the best at their house. He would always eat till he could not move. He knew I loved cheesecake and always had to have the perfect cake with no cracks!! The last thing that gives me the greatest joy is that he was there in the room with me when I had my first son, Chase David Starcher. The David is after him, and I will one day explain to my son the responsibility of having the name. I am going to do everything I can to be like him, and raise my son to be the same. Not a days goes by, without me telling Chase I love him because my grandfather taught me to be a real man, and show love to his family. I could go on forever, but to sum it all up never has there been a greater person, mentor, friend, human being and father figure than my grandfather, David Earl Shelton. Grandson David

My dad said I was a brat when I was very young. One of his favorite sayings was, " I hope you have one just like you one of these days." when my son David was born and turned out to be a very good child, dad said, "there is no God." finally, when my daughter Brianna was born he received his wish. As she exhibited tendencies to be a brat, dad would look at at me with a sly smile.....and say "yes there is a God" he was the BEST dad in the world!! I will miss him. Your loving daughter, Cindy

I will always remember the times I had with my dad, fishing, camping and of course Key Lime Resort!! These times meant so much and will be in my heart forever. Sanibel and Holidays especially the famous stuffing will be with me and my family. My dad was always there for me in good and in bad times. He was there when I entered this world and I held his hand when he left. DAD, I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL BE MISSED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS! Love You Always your son, Dave

Where to begin to tell the story about my great buddy from next door?  Halloween?  or harassing each other about whether we have the Christmas decorations up in time?  Probably its the part where he was the "go to  guy with the answers"!   I love that part about Dave!  I will miss you.  

My sincere love to all the family.

God is truly with us all--Regards,


OBITUARIO

David Earl Shelton

9 diciembre, 1938 – 5 noviembre, 2012

Kraeer Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios