We all lost a great person he shined and helped everyone I owe him so much he was a great  mentor
Miriam Lanxner-Brull

I met John when we  worked together at Bloomingdales, we became  friends and always stayed in touch when he moved  away from California. John had always a smile on his face and an open heart always good to everyone . He loved Robert  and his Family dearly .
John you will be always in my heart. Rest in peace my friend.
To his family my deepest condolences.🙏🏻💔🙏🏻

Sending my condolences to the family I worked with John soon he became my Johnny I miss him dearly

Sending my deepest sympathy to all the Shelton siblings.  Have fond memories of all of you from your days in the neighborhood and at St. Raphael.  With love to you all, Pat Sheehan (mother of Kate, Julie and Bobby).  Rest in Peace, John.

I met John in college at UK.  We hit it off immediately and became good friends.  We loved doing plays, musicals, and acting class scenes together, and just hanging out.   I missed seeing him when he left Lexington, and was so glad when Facebook brought us back together on a daily basis.  So happy to spend some time with him when he moved back to Kentucky. I was looking forward to years to come of our friendship, and still can't believe it's not to be. I loved him like a brother, and am so grateful to have had him in my life.  John was a special person...always sweet, and kind, and good.  Always brought the positive energy.  So talented!  Acting and singing.  I saw him stop a show or two, with the audience on their feet.  He was special light in the world.  My love and prayers go out to Robert, Lea Ann, Joan, Charles, and all the family during this sad and difficult time.  Such a terrible loss!   Much too soon!  God Bless you all.

John and I were musical partners for many years, I'm so proud to have worked with John and sharing the gift of song....he could light up a room with his talent and you could feel the magic of theater that we both had studied and trained for ..We shared at least once a week if not more...had just Facebooked the day before his transition home....Will miss my dear friend....we met when we were 30....love you forever...."we all have been given the gift of time---cherish it before it takes flight...."

John and I were musical partners for many years....he suddenly passed on the 18th of Jan....so proud to have worked with John and sharing the gift of song....he could light up a room with his talent and you could feel the magic of theater that we both had studied and trained for ..We shared at least once a week if not more...had just Face Booked the day before his transition home....Will miss my dear friend....we met when we were 30....love you forever...."we all have been given the gift of time---cherish it before it takes flight...."

I met John in the theatre department at the University of Kentucky in 1976. He was a little older and wiser, but fun- and energy-filled -- we performed in all kinds of productions together: outdoors, all-night, on the main stage. He was Puck in the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream when I was Helena and on and on.  We all had boundless energy back then. Worked all day, danced all night, drank pots of black coffee. A church-going, small town girl, I didn't know any people who were living openly gay lives.  Nor was I acquainted with anyone as wildly creative, talented, enthusiastic, funny, snarky and somewhat tortured as John.  Sharing my passion for all manner of Things Barbra, he blasted fresh air into my young life and I am grateful. We stayed in light touch through the years, primarily via FB. I really knew him for only about a minute but the effects have lasted a lifetime. I send my sympathy to his dear husband and family. With love always

I knew John from our happy theater days at UK. I had only recently reconnected with him via Facebook, and absolutely loved reading his posts and learning about his life after college. Along with the many who loved John, I was heartbroken to learn of his untimely passing. He brightened so many lives, and was a genuinely good person. He will be sorely missed!

It is with Great Sadness that I write This. I met John over 35 Years Ago and He will always be remembered as a Talented,Wonderful & Kind Man who was Devoted to His Mother & Family.I have No Doubt You are now being welcomed into Heaven being Greeted by Your Father,Mother & Brother Michael.Fair Winds and Following Seas Dear John until We Meet Again.May God Bless You & Your Family.

Michael Clark

I’m sorry to learn this.  I knew John when we were in the theater department at the University of Kentucky.  Doubtless, somewhere William Shakespeare smiled at John’s interpretation of Puck.

John was my touchstone since the late 1970's. He was a trusted friend, advisor, mentor, director, scene partner, confidante and just a fun man to be around. 
  I learned more about theater and film from John than I ever did from a professor. Kindness and generosity were his trademarks.  And boy did I love to make him laugh. I've missed him for a while and I'm grateful to FB IM that we managed a lively correspondence. I hope you've found peace and comfort, Mister John Edward Shelton. You helped bring it to us and we are blessed to have known you.

Helen Mattingly here.  I think of all of you, especially Charlie, with whom I carpooled to U of L, every time I pass your old house on Bon Air.   I believe John was in my brother’s class at St. Raphael.  I remember him from so very long ago, and am sorry he left all of you.
Your family is often in my thoughts, and I still have the MIA bracelet with your dad’s name on it.   I hope John has reunited with him, as well as your mother (I also remember her).

Peace be in your hearts.

Robert, Joan, LeaAnn, and Charles and all the extended family, Please rest easy as John now is reunited with him mom, dad, and brother. Though John is no longer in our world, our world is better off for his having been a part of it for 68 years.

I am so sorry for your loss. I saw John perform in San Diego and knew his brother Michael. He has been my Facebook friend for a few years. I loved his remarks on my posts. May his memory be a blessing. ❤️

I got to know John when he was in my play, APPALACHIAN QUARTET, which premièred at the University of Kentucky back in the 1970s. I was deeply impressed by his acting and his just plain good will to those around him. We've kept up off and on over the past  40 plus years. 
He was an amazing human being. I will miss him. 
RIP, John.

LeaAnn, Charlie and Joan -  As your sister-in-law I want to say how very sorry I am for the loss of your brother and my brother-in-law as he would light up a room immediately and always had such a wonderful laughter and sparkle in his eyes.  I will miss him terribly and know that he is with his brother Michael now and his mother and father.  They are both so very missed.

I am so sad to hear of John's untimely death. We studied theatre together at UK and he was always such a sunny person and hard worker, so very dedicated to the art and craft of performing. He was a sweet and genuine person full of love for all.

It was my pleasure to have known John through our theatre experiences at UK and the times to get reacquainted when he moved back to Louisville. My last visit with John was meeting backstage after his performance in The Bridges of Madison County. He mentioned in his program profile that he hoped his "jazz hands" wouldn't detract from his performance and they certainly did not. Being a part of Lee Pennington's "Appalachian Quartet" was also a special memory for all of us. I hope John finds further love and happiness in the hands of the Lord.

OBITUARY

John E. Shelton

December 24, 1955 – January 18, 2024

Arch L. Heady and Son Funeral Home & Cremation Services

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