Date of Death: March 16, 2022
Service Details
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 17852 S. River Rd., Three Rivers. A funeral service will follow at noon at the church, with Pastor Terry Cropper officiating. He will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
George Leonard Shelton, 82, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at his home.
He was born February 27, 1940 in Rydersville, Ala. to Thomas and Christina (Harville) Shelton, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1960.
On April 6, 1974, George married Lorraine Alice Patterson. The couple shared 47 years of marriage and raised three children.
He worked in research and development as a biotechnician for the Upjohn Company, later Pfizer, from where he retired in 2006.
George was a loving husband, father and brother who always put God first.
He held the distinction of being the longest member at Bethel Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of the deacons, treasurer and usher. He was especially honored when the church named him “Father of the Year.”
George also enjoyed participating in the South Lanes Senior Citizens Bowling League.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorraine Shelton; son, Leonard (Shayla) Shelton of Kalamazoo; daughters, Crystal (Dennis) Johnson of Livonia, Ga. and Andrea (Marvin) Davis of Conyers, Ga.; grandchildren, Jemelle Jordan, Derrick Jordan, Ladanien Shelton, Kohan Mays-Shelton and Leonard Shelton Jr.; sisters, Doris Rollerson of Chicago, Ill., Willastyne (Sterling) Carter of Elkhart, Ind. and Shirley Shelton of Kalamazoo; sisters-in-law, Mary Shelton and Beverly Armstrong; brothers-in-law, Coy Whitten and Mansfield Patterson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; five beloved godsons and one beloved goddaughter.
George was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas Shelton; and sisters, Velma Whitten and Linda Patterson.
Additional Information
Donations in George’s memory may be directed to Bethel Baptist Church or Three Rivers Hospice. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, MI 49093 in care of his arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
Lorraine and family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I remember the fun times at bowling. Sending love, hugs and prayers. Sandy McGlothlen Farnsworth
To Sis. Lorraine Shelton and Family & the Bethel Baptist Church Family:
Though we are saddened to learn of Deacon Shelton’s earthly absence from our midst, we hope it brings comfort to know that the Scripture says “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Therefore, we entrust him and all of you to the loving care of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whom we hope and trust.
We are unable to be with you in person to pay our respects to this very fine man of God as we are also conducting a funeral service at the same time here in Kalamazoo. However, please know that we love all of you and you are in our thoughts and prayers Bishop T.D. & Sis. Quella Lockett/Elders Howard & Robyn Robinson-FAITH TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD, Kalamazoo
Crystal,
I’m very sorry for the loss of your dad.
Sending comforting prayers at this difficult time.
Kim (Eggleston) Adams
George was a classmate and a very nice man. I am saddened to hear of his passing, he was a quiet dignified person and always had a smile when we met. He and Lorraine were a great couple, and I wish her and their family my most sincere condolences. The world has lost a truly fine person and he will be missed by everyone who knew him,
jeff and i are so sorry you and your family are in our prayers
Lorraine and family, so sorry to learn of Leonard’s passing. Prayers and hugs. In the words of Dr Seuss, “Death ends a life; Not a relationship.”
Lorraine & Family,
May faith give you strength, may prayers bring you comfort. Thinking of you and praying for you at this difficult time.
Love and Sympathy,
Samuel & Barbara Daniel & Family