Shirley Ann (Bontrager) Shelton

Shirley Ann Shelton, 73, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly in the comfort of her own home on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 5:07 pm following some health issues. She was born on September 16, 1948 in Elkhart to the late Samuel and Myrtle (Troyer) Bontrager.

Surviving is her son Steve L. Stover of Elkhart; daughters Stacy A. McClane and Tabatha K. Shelton, both of Elkhart and Kathy L. (Michael) Richardson of Middlebury; sister Judy K. (Dr. William) Skiles of Madison, Indiana; grandchildren Tiffany (Larry) Hankins of Bremen, Josh and Kaitlyn Stover, both of Elkhart, Beth (Steven) Furnas of Defiance, Ohio, Aaron McCuen of Elkhart, Alissa Shelton of Spokane, Washington, Dylan Shelton of Elkhart, Kaeley Geschke of Bloomington, Jessica Richardson of Bristol and Courtney Richardson of Angola; great grandchildren Britynn and Jaxyn McCuen; former daughter-in-law Dawn Stover of Elkhart; former sister-in-law Dawn Gray of Hobart; and a host of loving extended family and friends. Shirley is preceded in death by a brother, Douglas E. Bontrager, a grandson, Michael Richardson and nephew Matthew Bontrager.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services is hosting Shirley’s Celebration of Life Service on Monday, October 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm, with visitation beginning there at 11 am. Pastor Jeremy Sarber, Billings Funeral Home Chaplain, will officiate and burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart.

Shirley was a 1968 graduate of Concord High School. Following her graduation, Shirley eventually found herself working in customer service at the Kmart Corporation, where she remained for many years until the corporation closed. Following that, she then worked many years more for the Kroger Company at the Fulton Street and Hively Avenue Kroger stores.

As with any mom and grandma, Shirley was happiest when her family was around, and she especially enjoyed time spent with all of her grandkids. Her children would all agree that they appreciated Shirley for insisting that, while they were growing up, they spend every Sunday at Grandma Myrtle’s house, having a wonderful Sunday dinner there and spending quality family time playing games or cards. The time spent at Grandma Myrtle’s house would always remain special in everyone’s hearts as a time of love, laughter and enjoyment.

Shirley grew up in a traditional Mennonite family, and even though she attended the River of Life Church in Elkhart, she never strayed far from her family’s traditional heritage. In her “down” time, Shirley loved to play bingo, dabble in diamond art and dote over her grands. She was a former member and officer with the local Women of the Moose, and was a devout aficionado of the Hallmark Channel.

 Memorial donations may be given to the charity of one’s choice. Friends and relatives are encouraged to read the entire obit and leave condolences, memories and/or pictures of Shirley by clicking “Tribute Wall” on her obituary page on the funeral home’s website and then following the prompts.

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