Jeffrey Lee Shelton

Jeffrey Lee Shelton, 64, of New Castle, Indiana, finally decided to stop putting things off and made his grand exit on March 23, 2026, at Glen Oaks Nursing Home—peacefully, in his sleep, just the way he would have preferred (no fuss, no alarm clock, and definitely no early morning obligations).

Born July 1, 1961, in New Castle, Jeffrey spent his life mastering the fine art of doing things his own way. He had a talent for storytelling, a sense of humor that could sneak up on you, and an uncanny ability to cook just about anything—except, perhaps, he could not fix his stubborn streak.

Jeffrey was preceded in death by those who likely greeted him with open arms and maybe a few jokes at the pearly gates. We can only imagine the reunion included laughter, a little mischief, and someone telling him he still owed them something. Those included his parents, Robert and Martha Shelton; his grandparents, Stanley and Cora Shelton, and Lisle and Helen Buckwalter; his brother, Robert Shelton; and his beloved dog, Luke.

He leaves behind family and friends who will forever miss his jokes, his wisdom (whether they asked for it or not), and his ability to make even ordinary days more interesting. His legacy will live on in the stories told, the laughs shared, and the occasional “he would’ve had something to say about this” moments. Carrying on his legacy of laughter includes his sons, Matthew (Marsha) of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Daryl Shelton of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also survived by his brothers, William Ward (Candy) of Middletown, Indiana, and James Ward of New Castle, Indiana; and his sisters, Lisa Groce of Monticello, Kentucky, and Sharon Larsen of Omaha, Nebraska.

Although Jeffrey never had the opportunity to meet his cherished great-grandsons in person, he took great joy in watching their lives unfold through photos and social media. He was always asking for the latest pictures or videos, and he loved those boys more than words could ever express. He found immense happiness in seeing them grow and proudly shared stories about those rambunctious boys with anyone who would listen. He is survived by his grandson, Benjamin Strange (Samantha) of Summerville, South Carolina; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Stockton (Kaven) of Jacksonville, North Carolina; and his beloved great-grandsons, Landon, Easton, Ryker, and Kashdyn.

In true Jeffrey fashion, he would probably prefer you skip the long faces. Instead, tell a good story, share a laugh, maybe enjoy your favorite meal, and remember him with a smile—because if he’s listening, he’s definitely got a comeback ready.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2026 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with his nephew Paul Ward officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 until time of the service on Friday. In place of flowers, donations to help with funeral expenses would be greatly appreciated by the family. You may express condolences or share a memory of Jeffrey at www.hinsey-brown.com.