Jon W. Shelton, age 81 of Monroe, MI, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026 at his winter home in LaBelle, FL.

Born January 9, 1945 in Detroit, MI, Jon was the son of the late Thurman Shelton and Jane Wikan.

There is a lot that can be said about Jon. Jon was a loyal, competitive friend and dedicated family man who found happiness with his family. As an excavation/snow plowing contractor, he was a driven, hard-working, sometimes intimidating, straight-talking person who knew how to get the job done. He had a great deal of respect for those who served our country and was even known to anonymously pay restaurant tabs for those in uniform.

If it had a motor, Jon was all in. He enjoyed snowmobiling; motor cycling; boating; all forms of motor racing, especially NHRA Drag Racing; and tinkering with cars to name a few. He could build or fix just about anything.

A bit of an adventurer, with his charm and wry sense of humor, he easily made acquaintances wherever he went. He was always on the go and loved to travel in his motor coach with his wife Maureen and the “Lucky Ducks” from Riverbend Resort in Florida to countless destinations in the U.S. and abroad. He and “Reenie” really took to the U.P. where they enjoyed time alone, toes in the sand, sitting on “their log” overlooking Lake Michigan.

Jon is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Reenie; two sons, Jon (Catherine) Shelton, Jr. and Brian (Sara) Shelton; grandchildren, Sophia and Maxwell Shelton; two brothers, David Vinson and Mike (Jojo) Shelton; three sisters, Leslie (Clemens Fobianke) Vinson, Polly and Patty Shelton; and many cousins, including Stephen (Lisa) Shelton, Eddie (Greta) Shelton and Janice Goodman.

Jon was preceded in death by his father, Thurman Shelton; mother, Jane Vinson; step-father, William “Pete” Vinson; mother-in-law, Mary O’Dowd Lapinski; father-in-law, Martin Kavanagh; sisters-in-law, Pam Cervi and Mary Sharon Salois; cousin, Jonny Goodman; many uncles and aunts, including M.C. and Joan Shelton, and Walter and Dorothy Wikan.

Family and friends may visit from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29th at Bacarella Funeral Home. Jon will lie in state at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church where Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. by Rev. Fr. David Kidd.

For anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Jon, the family suggests supporting the Wounded Warriors Project or a charity of the donor’s choice.

An incredible force of life… Jon will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.