Charles Blaine Shelton, age 92, of Swansea, Ill., born January 19, 1927 in Thompsonville, Ill., passed away at his home Friday morning, July 19, 2019.

Charles grew up in Thompsonville, Illinois and enlisted in the Navy at the young age of 17. After 19 months in the Navy, and a short stint in the Merchant Marines and Army, he began his long career with the US Air Force, his military service encompassing three war periods; World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Charles retired in 1966 as a Master Sargent, in Kansas. Following his military retirement, he worked as an insurance agent for John Hancock Ins. and United American Ins. He was a resident of O'Fallon for 40 years before moving to Swansea in 2006.

Charles had many hobbies, talents, and interests. He enjoyed woodworking, bike riding, camping, fishing, and pheasant hunting. He had built his own computers and participated in an online chess club. Charles was eager to continue to learn, even in his later years. Of the many things he enjoyed, his first and longest love was flying. He paid for his own flying lessons at age 16 (two days' wages) and continued to fly into his 90's. His favorite aircraft was a Piper Cub.  He had crafted his own flight simulator in his home, logging hundreds of flying hours and even boasted that he "flew around the world."

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, the family suggests donations to charities that were special to Charles, including Disabled American Veterans , Boys Town , or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .

He was preceded in death by his wife Diana, nee Wohlgemuth, Shelton; his son Robert Carl Shelton; siblings Margaret Tate, Vernon, Edward and Mack Shelton and his parents Blaine and Sophia, nee McFarland, Shelton.

Surviving are his daughter Joyce Cannon and her husband Mike, of Swansea; grandchildren Jessica, nee Smith, Shaw and her husband Marshal, Christopher Smith, Natalie, nee Shelton, Berry and her husband Andy; Nicholas Shelton; great-grandchildren Kersten, Blake, Isaiah and Norah; and his brother Barney Tom "Tommy" Shelton and his wife Francis, of Galatia, Ill.

Funeral: Memorial Service will begin at 11 am, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 West Washington St., O'Fallon, with Rev. Drew Kramer officiating. Military honors will be rendered.