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Olive
Edna (Minerd) Shelton |
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| Views of Olive in young womanhood. Courtesy Melinda (Swope) Brooksher |
Olive Edna (Minerd) Shelton was born in 1891 in Pittsburg, Crawford County, KS, the daughter of Azaniah "Melvin" and Harriet (Baldwin) Minerd.
Olive lived at home with her parents for many years.
On Dec. 1, 1924, at the age of 33, Olive married 43-year-old John Marshall Shelton Sr. (1880-1951). Rev. E.H. Given of Pittsburg officiated.
They produced an only son, John M. Shelton Jr.
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Obituary, 1958 |
Little is known of their lives. The Sheltons made their home at 114 West Madison in Pittsburg.
John was employed for many years as a meter man by Kansas Gas and Electric, the same company for which his brother in law, Orville Baldwin Minerd, worked.
The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows Olive's widowed mother in their household.
John Sr. passed away first, but the details are not yet known.
Olive died in mid-December 1958 at the age of 67. The Pittsburg Daily Headlight noted that the funeral was held at the chapel of the Ellsworth mortuary, with Rev. James Calhoun in charge, followed by interment at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Pittsburg.
~ Son John Marshall Shelton Jr. ~
Son John Marshall Shelton Jr. (1925-1979) was born on Oct. 17, 1925 in Pittsburg.
He received a 10th grade education. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army on Jan. 6, 1943, enlisting at Fort Leavenworth.
On July 12, 1949, in Benton, AR, he entered into marriage with his first wife, 23-year-old Margaret Louise Prince ( ? - ? ). The marriage dissolved within months, and by April 1950 he was divorced and back under his parents' roof in Pittsburg.
John's second bride was Merdith Marie Hamilton (Oct. 1, 1934-2012), daughter of Walter Byron and Ruby Irene (Burke) Hamilton Sr. of Mulberry, Crawford County.
They together bore a family of four -- James Melvin Shelton, Lynn Million, Shelley Swartz and Celeste Baker.
John owned and operated a car lot in Pittsburg for many years, known as Shelton Motor Company.
Merdith was a cosmetologist, having received a vocational degree from Kansas State Teachers College with additional education at Shepherds Chapel in Gravette, AR.
Sadly, the marriage ended at some point. On May 22, 1986, in a ceremony held in Miami, OK, Merdith married again, to Marvin Becker ( ? - ? ). He had been married previously and brought a number of adult children to the union, including Dennis Becker, Travis Becker and Melinda Becker.
Evidence suggests that John wed a third time to Hazel Arlene (1924- ? ).
John's final residence was in Arma, Crawford County, KS. He passed away in Oct. 1979. His remains were interred in Garden of Memories Cemetery. In an obituary in the Wichita Eagle, Hazel requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Shrine Crippled Children's Hospital or the American Heart Association.
Merdith passed away at the age of 77 on March 14, 2012, in Pittsburg. Burial was in Rosebank Cemetery in Mulberry near Pittsburg, with Rev. Phil Hays officiating. A brief notice of her death appeared in the Joplin (MO) Globe.
Son James Melvin Shelton (1962-2025) was born on Jan. 20, 1962 in Pittsburg, KS. He is known to have studied at Kansas University and to have served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. James became employed by the Kansas Department of Transportation and worked over the years in pavement management and facilities management. He loved to work with wood, read novels and collect Coca-Cola memorabilia. They made his home in Topeka, KS in 2012. He entered into marriage with Connie ( ? - ? ). She brought a stepdaughter to the union, Rachel Robinson. They were the his wife produced a son, Joseph Shelton. He was known for "kind nature, friendly demeanor, and creative spirit," said an obituary. Sadly, he died in Tecumseh, KS on Nov. 12, 2025 after a lengthy illness.
- Grandson Joseph Shelton ( ? - ? )
- Step-granddaughter Rachel wed Jimmy Robinson.
Daughter Lynn Shelton entered into marriage with Ronald Million ( ? - ? ), son of Alfred and Virginia Million. They have lived in Pittsburg and are the parents of Ryan E. Million, Stephanie Million and Stacy Han. They grieved at the untimely death of 36-year-old son Ryan in 2018.
- Grandson Ryan E. Million (1982-2018) was born on May 25, 1982 in Pittsburg. He was a 2000 graduate of Pittsburg High School. He then received a bachelor's degree in recreation management and a minor in business from Pittsburg State University. Ryan resided in Pittsburg and "was an avid waterfowl hunter and baseball fan, especially the KC Royals," said an obituary. Sadly, at the age of 36, he died on Sept. 26, 2018. Interment was in Highland Park Cemetery.
- Granddaughter Stephanie Million moved to Wichita, KS.
- Granddaughter Stacy Million tied the knot with Jason Han. They live in McCune, KS. Jason is believed to serve on town council in McCune.
Daughter Shelley Shelton was joined in wedlock with Richard Swartz. The pair relocated to Grove, OK.
Daughter Celeste Shelton exchanged marital vows with Raymond Baker. The couple planted themselves in Pittsburg.
Copyright © 2000-2001, 2010, 2012, 2018, 2025 Mark A. Miner