Robert Arthur Shelton

Robert (Bob) Arthur Shelton, 86, stepped into the arms of His Savior and Lord at 6:55 pm on October 14, 2023 and is finally home.
Bob was born on January 2, 1937 to Claude (Bus) and Eleanor (Sisson) Shelton of Ithaca, NY and married his Lansing sweetheart, Joan Faith Moore, on June 21, 1957, a marriage lasting 66 years. He spent one year at Baptist Bible Seminary and then graduated with a two-year degree in radio and communications from Alfred State. However, the promised job with IBM never materialized, so he joined his father's commercial refrigeration business, Shelton's Refrigeration, at 703 Willow Avenue in Ithaca, NY. When his father died, he joined P&C Food Markets and traveled the state servicing the food chain's refrigeration equipment. When P&C dissolved, he established Bob's Refrigeration, which became well known around town. He enjoyed helping those in need and was always concerned about others.
As a baritone soloist in high school, he was encouraged to pursue singing professionally, but he always said it was God's gift and should only be used in His service. He was a church vocal choir director for 53 years and directed numerous cantatas, a couple of full dramas for Easter and Christmas, and a multi-church, 50-voice choir program for Good Friday. He composed and arranged songs and played in the handbell choir for many years, and when leading congregational singing, was able to encourage enthusiasm better than anyone. Over the years, he also served on the deacon and trustee boards of the church where he and his family had attended for four generations, and was active as a Gideon.
In recent years, Bob and his family attended Trumbulls Corners Community Church on Sunday mornings and Lighthouse Baptist Church (Horseheads) in the evenings, and were greatly blessed at both.
Bob enjoyed traveling with his family, photography, air shows, and boat and steam train rides. He had a special love for his many "grand-pups" and felines, and for all the foster and daycare children in his home over the years who loved him as "Uncle Bob". His greatest love was sharing Christ with others.
Bob Shelton is survived by his wife, Joan; his children: Laurie Shelton, Dale (Leslie) Shelton, Patty (Tim) Donar, and Pamela Shelton; his sister, Janet (Ed) Switzer; his grandchildren: Reuben Donar, Micah Donar, Darren (Bry) Shelton, Andrew Shelton, and Lindsey (Chris) Forsyth; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude (Bus) and Eleanor Shelton; his brother, David Shelton; his sister-in-law, Pat (David) Shelton; and his brother-in-law, Edward (Janet) Switzer.
Services on Saturday, October 21 include a graveside service at 10 am at Calvary Cemetery, 5 Mile Drive (NY 13A) and a 2 pm memorial service at the Trumbulls Corners Community Church (628 Trumbulls Corners Rd., Newfield, 14867).
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) Emergency Department, the CMC Infusion Lab, the Upstate University Hospital Neuro ICU, and all of his doctors and their staff in Ithaca for their loving and faithful care of him, both recently and over the years. You have been a blessing and are greatly appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International (The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251; https://www.gideons.org/donate).