John William Shelton

John William Shelton, better known by his friends and family as Jack, passed away at home on March 1, 2026, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, at the age of 73. Jack was born on May 28, 1952, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was a graduate of Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School in the class of 1970.

Jack dedicated many years of his professional life to being a civilian federal employee for the Department of Defense. His career began at the Defense Logistics Agency in New Cumberland, and concluded at Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg when he retired in 2019. Jack took pride in serving his country in this way.

Jack is preceded in death by his father, John S. Shelton, and his mother, A. Martha (Eby) Shelton. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Rittner) Shelton, his step-daughters Kim (Eckstine) Dudley and Debbie (Eckstine) Weidner, his granddaughters Danielle (Long) Newell and Denae Ralph, and his great-grandchildren Layne Swanger, Jeriah Swanger, Nevaeh Newell, and Evalette Newell.

Jack cherished his wife Pat, and together, they found joy in raising their great-granddaughter, Layne. Jack loved being a grandpa, and was immensely proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jack had a passion for both history and the outdoors. He was known for his love of hunting and fishing, and going to the lake in the summertime. He enjoyed being a Civil War re-enactor, sharing his enthusiasm for history with the world. He was also a devoted fan of the Washington Commanders, and enjoyed watching races at Williams Grove Speedway.

Jack will be remembered for his love for his family and for the passions that brought him joy during his life. He will be deeply missed.