Dennis Shelts

Dennis Allen “Curly” Shelts, 65, of rural Camden, passed away at 10:25 PM, Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at his home.

He was born on May 10, 1950, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, the son of Russell and Maxine (Downs) Shelts.  He married Mary Jones on June 2, 2001, at their home in rural Camden.

Surviving are his wife Mary, his mother Maxine Shelts of Camden, son Jason Shelts and wife Tracy of St. Louis, grandson William Shelts, two brothers Jim Shelts and wife Sue of Jacksonville and Kevin Shelts and wife Cindy of Camden, five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his father and son Will M. Shelts.

Dennis graduated from Rushville in High School 1968, where he played football all four years and had received many awards.  He first worked at Oscar Mayer in Beardstown.  He later worked at Black Beauty and Triad mines in Camden.  He also was a heavy equipment operator for Dale Kerker in Augusta.  He was a tender truck driver for Schuyler-Brown FS currently Prairieland FS in Rushville, retiring in 2015 due to health issues.  He farmed in the Camden area for many years.

He was a member of the Schuyler County Farm Bureau.  He enjoyed motorcycles, even building two from the ground up.  He was well known for his hog roasting talents.  He loved working with his hands tinkering with just about anything.  He built custom cabinets to hold his model motorcycle collection.

Memorial services will be at 10:25 AM, Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with his niece Brittney Taylor officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, February 19, 2016, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to the MDH Hospice or to an education fund for his grandson William Shelts.