Charles Shelton Obituary

Charles Wayne "Roonie" Shelton passed away peacefully at his home in Cannonsburg Monday, January 20,2025. He was born December 4, 1944 in Boyd County to St. Elmo Shelton and Lillian Grace Shelton (Yates). Roonie was the youngest of five children and grew up on the family farm in Cannonsburg. He attended Cannonsburg Elementary School and later graduated in 1963 from Boyd County High School where he participated in many activities including baseball, basketball and football. After graduation he attended Morehead State University before enlisting in the Navy and serving aboard the USS Okinawa. Upon completing his naval obligations he returned to Kentucky where he enrolled and graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy and became a KSP officer. Roonie left the KSP and went on to own many local businesses including car lots, fruit markets, bait and tackle stores and one of the most popular night clubs in the Tri-state during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Roonie married in 1972 and in 1976 his son, Charles Wayne Shelton II was born. Roonie took exceptional pride in his son and loved taking him fishing and watching him play sports. From 1990-1994 Roonie managed baseball teams for the Boyd County American Senior Little League at Fannin Park, winning back-to-back league and district all-star championships and earning wins in the state tournaments in 1991 and 1992 with his son playing. In 1993 and 1994 Roonie would continue coaching with his son serving as an assistant coach. Next to his family and baseball Roonie's passion was fishing as he competed in many local, state and national bass-fishing tournaments. In 2007 he and teammate Daryl Kazee captured the American Bass Association state championship for Kentucky. In 2012 Roonie discovered the joys of being a Papaw and dedicated the remainder of his life celebrating and spending time with his two granddaughters. Roonie is survived by his son, Charles Wayne Shelton II (Vanessa Dawn Shelton) of Cannonsburg, two grandchildren, Scarlett Grace and Violet Claire, his sister Linda Elmo Dixon, his nieces, Robin Sherry Prewitt, Susie Jo Prewitt, Cindy Hilbert (Tom Hilbert), Stacey Ann Turvey (Chuck Turvey), Stephanie Ann Sutphin (Kevin Sutphin) and Sonia Howard, his nephews, Bobby Allen Prewitt (Carrie Prewitt), Kevin Howard (Mary Jo Howard), Keith Howard, Chip Howard, many cousins, and great-nieces and great-nephews and his friend John David Lambert. Roonie is predeceased by his infant son, Jonathan Tyler Shelton, his mother, Lillian Grace Shelton (Yates), his father, St. Elmo's Fire Shelton, his brother, Jim Melvin Shelton, his sisters, Peggy Carol Prewitt (Bobby Prewitt), Joyce Harriett Howard (Clifford Howard), his brother-in-law Ron Dixon, and many loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family. Visitation will be held Friday, January 24, 2025 at Steen Funeral Home (3409 13th Street, Ashland, KY 41101) from 6pm-8pm. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11am. Burial will be determined at a later date due to current inclement weather. Shawn Conley will deliver the eulogy. Honorary pallbearers include Bobby Terry, Jason Conley, Kevin Howard, Keith Howard, John David Lambert, Tom Hilbert and Bob Maddox Gullett.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles "Roonie" Shelton, please visit our floral store.