Don Merrill Shelton

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Don Merrill Shelton, 99, passed away on October 10, 2024 at his home in Mendon, Utah. Don was born September 10, 1925, in Mendon, Utah to parents Verland Findley and Vera Willie Shelton. He was the 3rd of 5 children (Ruth, Douglas, Don, Ross and Bonnie). Don spent his growing up years in Mendon. He attended elementary school in Mendon, junior high in Wellsville and graduated from South Cache High School in 1942.

Don met Marilyn Rigby at a dance. They were married on June 18, 1947. During those early years, they made their home in Mendon, Logan, and Tooele. They added 3 boys to their family, Brent, Dave and Scott. Don worked as a mechanic. The family later moved to Hawthorn California where Don worked as an aircraft mechanic and machinist for McDonnell Douglas.

In 1955 the family moved to Washington state to become “homesteaders” in the Columbia Basin. They developed a farm from previously unfarmable land, using irrigation available from the recently constructed Grand Coulee Dam. During these years in Washington sons Rick and Todd joined the family.

In 1968, Marilyn was killed in an automobile accident, and in 1969 Don moved his family back to Mendon. He became a dairy farmer partnering with his brothers-in-law Bill and Murray Rigby. Don’s excellent mechanic skills were crucial in keeping all the equipment operating.

Don met Judy Sawyer at an LDS singles dance. They both loved to dance and the rest is history. They were married on August 7, 1971, adding Judy’s three young children, Brant, Michelle and Ryan Taylor to the family. In 1973 a baby girl, Donelle, was born to Don and Judy, completing the family of 9 children. Don built the family home in Mendon. Working nights and weekends, it took him several years, but once it was done it was a gathering place for his family. 

Don left the dairy business and finished his working years as a shop mechanic, and later shop foreman, at the USU Water Research Laboratory. Don retired from USU in 1987.

Don was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings. Of particular note was his service as a Scoutmaster in both Washington and Mendon. He was a positive influence for many young men and many fondly remember their scouting experience with Don.

Don loved his hometown of Mendon. He served on the city council and loved “May Day” and the July 24th celebration. He was the Grand Marshall of the 24th of July parade in 2022. 

Don always put his family first. Although his siblings were separated by hundreds of miles, they reunited for a yearly camping trip every June. It came to be known as the “Shelton Reunion”. Everyone looked forward to Don’s pork fingers, Dutch oven potatoes, and cheesy vegetables. So many memories were made on those outings. Don especially loved camping on Boulder Mountain in Wayne County, Utah.

Don and Judy loved to travel, they especially liked going with the “Mendon Gang”, a group of friends from Mendon that got together for Easter picnics, summer camping trips to Bear Lake and winter snowmobiling trips. 

Don and Judy spent several winters camping in Mexico, they drove their trailer all the way to Mazatlán. Don has driven all over the country from Alaska to Key West, Florida to New York City. He loved being outdoors and seeing the beauty of nature.

Don also loved to take his family back-packing and spent many summers in Yellowstone fishing. He loved to take his family boating and waterskiing. 

Don was great at fixing anything. He fixed numerous cars for family and friends. He also helped numerous times with his children’s construction projects. Everyone knew “Grandpa Don can build it or fix it”. 

Don is survived by his wife, Judy Shelton, his daughter-in-law, Suzanne Shelton, sons David (Jill) Shelton, Scott (Marsha) Shelton, Rick (Karen) Shelton and Todd (Mary Sue) Shelton, daughter Donelle (Erik) Andersen, son Brant (Jolene) Taylor, daughter Michelle (Alex) Bell and son Ryan (Desirae) Taylor and by 39 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Verland and Vera Shelton, his wife Marilyn Rigby Shelton, his son, Brent Shelton and siblings and their spouses Ruth (Clark) Ellerman, Doug (Marilyn) Shelton, Ross (Kathyrn) Shelton and Bonnie (Jack) King.

Don’s life influenced so many, we will miss him, but know we will see him again.

Funeral Services for Don will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 12 pm with a viewing held right before from 10:30-11:30 am, at the Mendon Chapel 460 S. 100 E. Mendon, Utah 84325.  An additional viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Friday evening at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 E. Center St. Logan. Don will be laid to rest in the Mendon Cemetery.  

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com. 

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