Robert Earl Shelton

Robert Earl Shelton was born on February 10, 1952, in Evansville, IN, to David L. and Bonnie J. Shelton. He passed away on November 17, 2025, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN.

Robert graduated from William Harrison High School, where he was the quarterback on the football team. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the University of Evansville and majored in Psychology. He served in the United States Army in 1972 during the Vietnam War. While enlisted, he was a Preventive Medicine Specialist, received the National Defense Service Medal, and qualified as a Marksman on the M-16 rifle.

Robert loved listening to music and playing guitar. His favorite songs were Ricky Raccoon, Led Zeppelin's No Quarter, and Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty.

Robert was well known by many staff members at the VA Evansville Health Care Center, often visiting the clinic because he considered many of the staff to be like family. He was a strong-willed and free-spirited individual, always making life entertaining by sharing his thoughts in a way that only Robert could.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by stepmother, Linnie Shelton; sisters, Carol J. Smith and Gennie Smith; nephew, Ronald E. Smith.

In addition to his VA family, Robert is survived by siblings, David Shelton (Karen), Claudia K. McDaniel, Michael McDaniel (Maria), Christi Bevins (Craig), Susan Simmons; brother-in-law, Ron Smith; niece, Rhonda Williams (Scott), and a host of nieces and nephews spanning 3 generations. Robert was known as a kind and generous man by all who knew him.