Ethel Phile Shelton

After a lifetime of service to others, Rome, GA resident, Ethel Phile Shelton, was welcomed into her heavenly home on October26, 2025 at the age of 104. She passed away peacefully after a brief illness following a fall.

Ethel was born in Philadelphia, PA, on October 2, 1921, to the late Dane Phile and Violetta Fordham Phile. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Robert (Bob) Shelton, and sisters, Anna Phile Miller and Norma Phile Mohrmann. Ethel is survived by her two sons, Dane Shelton (Christine) of Des Moines, IA, and David Shelton (Cindy) of Rome, GA. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Ethel grew up in Delanco, NJ, and after being chosen as the most outstanding senior in her high school class, she entered nurses training at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, where she graduated in 1942 as a Registered Nurse. Married shortly before graduation, she and Bob settled near Trenton, NJ, where she worked at several area hospitals.

In 1959 the entire family relocated to Glen Ellyn, IL, where Ethel continued her nursing career in the surgical/general practice of Dr. William Hill where she served for many years until her retirement. She relocated to Rome in 2015 to be closer to family and continued her life of volunteerism. She regularly volunteered at the Rome-Floyd County Community Soup Kitchen, where the guests referred to her as the dessert lady.

Ethel was an accomplished singer and served in her church choirs throughout her life and was a member of Chicago's Apollo Chorus for 28 years. Music was a large part of her life.

A celebration of life service will be held at Rome First United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1pm until service time at the church

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to United Women of Faith c/o Rome First United Methodist Church, 202 E. Third Ave Rome, GA or to Rome's Own Music Ensembles (R.O.M.E. 23 Ridgeview Drive, Silver Creek, Ga. 30173.)

Burial will be beside her husband, Captain Robert M. Shelton, at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL at a later date.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Ethel Phile Shelton