Mary Ellen Shelton (96) of rural Beecher City

Mary Ellen Shelton, 96, of rural Beecher City, Illinois died at 7:25 am Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Lutheran Care Center, Altamont, Illinois, surrounded by her family.

Her funeral will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, April 29th at the Altamont Christian Church, with Pastor Jim Watts officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be Sunday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Altamont Christian Church, Altamont, Illinois. Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park, rural Effingham on Monday following the funeral services. Kull Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with their funeral arrangements.

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Mary Ellen was born on July 27, 1922 in Moccasin Township, Effingham County the fourth child and third daughter of Cassie Albert and Ellen Mae (Harding) Newburn. She married Eddie Eugene Shelton on August 1, 1939 in Beecher City Illinois and he preceded her in death on May 13, 1993. Mary Ellen attended Prairie Cottage School through the 8th grade, and at the age of 14 went to care for her Grandfather Charles Holman Newburn, Grandmother Mary Mahalia (Anspach) Newburn and Great Uncle, Albert Leslie Anspach all whose health was declining. She continued to care for them until their death in September 1938 and August 1940. Mary Ellen was a homemaker to her own family, assisted her husband in farming also taking time to raise nieces and nephews, great grandchildren and others, even her own brothers and sisters at different times. She also worked outside the home after her children grew to young adults, working at the Altamont Garment Factory, St. Anthony Hospital for two years, Illinois Glove Factory for over 20 years and Fedders USA for five years. Her last employment was for her daughter’s cosmetics business for over 10 years as shipping clerk. Mary also took pride in all the quilts she made, especially the ones made for all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her son James (Janet) Shelton of rural Beecher City, daughter Deanna Higgs, daughter-in-law Martha Shelton both of Altamont, brother Dale (wife, Dianna) Newburn of Newalla, Oklahoma, sister Doris Julius of Blue Mound, Illinois, and seven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and three great-great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Gilbert Lane “Butch” Shelton, son-in-law Ronald Higgs, great granddaughter Delaney Shelton, 3-Brothers: Charles (Leora), Paul (Tiney) and Gerald (Marie) Newburn. 4-Sisters: Virginia (Charles “Dick) Freeman, Dorothy Branham, Shirley (Harry) Ziegler, Lula Bell Newburn as an infant and Brother and Sister-in-law’s, Norman Finfrock, Virgil Julius and Della Newburn.

Mary was the oldest member of the Altamont Christian Church and a lifelong Democrat. Memorials may be directed to the Altamont Christian Church Building and Maintenance Fund, Altamont Ministerial Food Bank program and the Beecher City Meals on Wheels.