Judy Ilene Shelton was born in Muncie, Indiana on April 23, 1939 as Judy Ilene Felton. She married James D Shelton Sr (deceased 2020) in 1957 and together they had 3 children, James D. Shelton Jr (married to Kathy), John P Shelton (deceased 2017) and Joseph R Shelton (Married to Sara). 

Judy was a woman who liked to do things her own way and as she left home from her parents Claude (deceased) and Gladys (deceased) she vowed to “never be broke”.  She worked in Massachusetts when Jim was stationed in the Army at Ft. Devens.  During this time, Jim Jr was born. After they returned to Muncie and John was born, they bought and ran a grocery store on Memorial Drive in the late 60s.  After they sold it, Judy worked for the US Postal Service where she took her youngest son Joe on the mail route with her shortly after he was born. In 1978, she left the USPS and bought and managed Shelton’s Swartz Motel on 29th street on the Southside of Muncie. They also bought many rental properties and fixed them up to rent along the way.  As the rental business went on, they sold the motel after many years. Judy’s children all graduated from Ball State University. This is something she was very proud of since she finished high school with a GED. She always wanted the best for her kids and would fiercely fight for them at every turn. 

In 1988, she survived her first battle with cancer and saw the birth of her grandchildren along the way. John had 4 children. Shaira (married to Shaun Doerflein), Shayna, Cole and Chase. James Jr. had Michael (Married to Sydney), and Joe had Austin and Bailey.  After the grandchildren started coming, she started being known as Granny.  She loved being Granny and embraced it with fervor.  As Granny fought her last battle with cancer this week, Michael’s wife Sydney gave birth to Granny’s first biological great-grandchild Asher Lee Shelton.  She was so happy to see him on FaceTime just hours before she passed away.  Granny is also survived by her loving sister Sandra Hood and many nieces and nephews. Granny loved playing Euchre and going to Bingo with her sister.  Her winning streaks are legendary in the family.  She never met a stranger and loved to chat with anyone and everyone, but don’t get into her cross hairs because she wasn’t afraid to tell you about whatever she felt wasn’t being done right. She was one of a kind and there will never be another one like her. We will all miss Granny Shelton

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at Parson Mortuary, 801 W. Adams, Muncie, Indiana, at 1:00 PM.  Friends may call on the family from 11:30 AM to 1:00 pm.  Burial will follow at Mt. Tabor Cemetery.