James Stelton

James L. Stelton, 65, Wahpeton, ND, died Saturday, May 16, 2009, at his residence. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 23 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Saturday at the church. James has chosen to donate his body to the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where his body will be used for human anatomy instructions. James had a lot of health issues, and hoped that what could be learned by the study of his body, could help other live longer and healthier lives. Military Honors will be conducted by the Hafner-Miller-Ross American Legion Post No. 20 and the Woody Keeble VFW Post No. 4324, Wahpeton. He will later be inurned at Calvary Cemetery , Wahpeton

James Leroy Stelton was born on March 7, 1944, at Rosholt , SD to Roy and Lois (Mayou) Stelton. He attended St. John’s Catholic School , Wahpeton thru the 8 ^th grade and then attended Wahpeton High School later getting his GED. He entered the US Army in October 1961. He spent his enlisted time in Wildflecken , Germany as an Atomic Demo Specialist and was honorably discharged in May 1965. That same year he met Kathleen May of Wahpeton and they married on December 27, 1965. One daughter, Shirley was born to this union. The family then moved to the Fargo/Moorhead area where Jim worked as a welder for many years. The couple later moved to Kindred, ND where they made their home for over 30 years. His favorite pastime was singing Karaoke around the area.

Jim was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Hafner-Miller-Ross American Legion Post No. 20.

He is survived by his former wife, Kathleen, Kindred; his daughter, Shirley (Troy) Williams, Arthur, ND; granddaughter, Hannah and grandson, Garrett, both of Arthur; his mother, Lois Stach, rural Breckenridge, MN; 2 sisters, Catherine (Daryl) Wilkens, Grand Forks, ND, Judith (Jerry) Raftevold, Little Falls, MN; 2 brothers, Dr. Dennis (Angel) Stelton, Allen, TX, Steven Stelton, Bismarck, ND; step-brother, Randy (Michelle) Stach, Breckenridge; step-sister, Connie Stach (Rod Berhow), Breckenridge; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his special canine companion, Bear.

James was preceded in death by his father, Roy, October 20, 1984;step-father, Vincent Stach; grandparents, Eddie and Nellie Mayou; and John and Julia Stelton.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton. Visit/sign our Online Guestbook at www.vertinmunson.com