Edward “Opi” Palmer Shelton, 70, of Excelsior Springs, passed away Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, in Excelsior Springs.

Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, from 11- 12:30 p.m. at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs, 5951 Missouri Highway 10 in Excelsior Springs. The funeral will follow at 12:30 p.m.

He will be buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Edward was born Oct. 10, 1950, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was the son of the late Emmett Edward and Betty Louise (Wyman) Shelton. He married Ingrid Weishaupt on September 16, 1988, in Liberty.

Opi served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. Upon returning to the states, he was a truck driver for Pepsi for many years. He then turned his attention to the rails. He was a conductor for Union Pacific Railroad until he retired. Opi loved to sing and had a great voice. His favorite song was “House of the Rising Sun.” His daughter, Dana, also convinced him to sing “Unchained Melody” at her wedding, though he was nervous and needed a beer to calm down. He was a great dancer and a great cook. He also was a wonderful husband.

He is survived by his wife: Ingrid (Weishaupt) Shelton; three daughters: Dana (Anthony) Denny, Kelly Moberly and Brandy Decker (Billy Pindar); son: Kent (Kelsey) Shelton; mother: Betty Louise (Wyman) Ware; two brothers: William (Donna) Pemberton and Ray (Pam) Ware; seven grandchildren: Ryker Shelton, Aaron (Lacey) Server, Sarah Server, Taylor (Paige Evert) Colgan, Brittany Colgan, Dane Moberly and Cade Moberly; numerous great-grandchildren; and aunt and uncle, Sandy and Donny Miller

In addition to his father, Edward was preceded in death by his grandmother, Velma “Granny” Wyman; and aunt, Kathleen Nolker.