Ambolene Verda Casey Shelton, 97, died Oct. 30, 2009 at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. She was born on Nov. 6, 1911 in Parthenon, Newton County, Ark., to John and Esther (Reynolds) Casey.  She married Ellis Shelton on Dec. 25, 1935.

She graduated from the Newton County Baptist Academy in 1930.  She earned a teaching certificate from Harrison Teaching College in Arkansas.
She taught in several country schools in Arkansas.

She previously also lived in Oregon before moving to Iowa in 1942.  She and her husband farmed for the Kleckner and Nixson families east of Farragut.

Ambolene was an active member of the Farragut Congregational United Church of Christ.
She liked to listen to the Gaithers, enjoyed being outdoors and worked alongside Ellis farming.  She loved to garden, travel and camp.

She enjoyed making new friends at Garden View Care Center and participating in many of their activies.

Ambolene is survived by her son, Eugene Shelton, and wife Cindy of Farragut; her daughter, Verda Bennett of Farragut; brother Devoe Casey and wife Loretta of Farragut; grandchildren:  Chris Slauter, Josh Munns, Emily Shelton, Al Doush, Rebekah Elder and Carla Shelton; four great-grandchildren, Rachel Morton, Michael and Christopher Munns and Noah Elder; one great-great grandson, Aidan Morton; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by brother Bill; sisters Modena, Marietta, Minnie and Earlene; son Mac; daughter Wanda; and grandson Bobby Jean Bennett.

 She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, Nov. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at the Farragut Congregational U.C.C. with Pastor Claude Westerfield officiating.  Burial will be in the Grange Hall Cemetery at rural Rock Port, Mo.

Visitation is open at the Shull-Gude Funeral Home in Riverton on Monday from 3-7 p.m.  The casket will remain closed at the church on Tuesday.

Memorials may be given to the Farragut Congregational U.C.C. in lieu of flowers.

To leave a condolence, please visit www.gudefuneralhomes.com.

Shull-Gude Funeral Home, Riverton, is in charge of the arrangements.