Joseph Lorentz Shelton

JOSEPH LORENTZ SHELTON, 86, passed away in Charleston, WV, on March 4, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. Joe was born in Clay County, WV. Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served proudly with the 101st Airborne. In the early years of his career, Joe was a Police Officer for the City of Charleston before joining the Kanawha County Circuit Clerk's Office. In 1976 he was elected in the first group of magistrates to serve in Kanawha County. He then transitioned his public service to the State of West Virginia where he served as the Deputy Commissioner at the WV Department of Highways and later worked with the WV Treasurer's Office. During the last 22 years of his career, Joe was a Kanawha County Magistrate where he served as Chief Magistrate several times. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Blanche (Neal) Shelton; sisters, Norma King and Betty Holcomb, and brother, Charles "Sonny" Shelton. Joe is survived by his wife Ceean Wade of Charleston; his children, Joseph L. Shelton II (Kelly) of Wellsburg, WV, Julie Craigo (Arnie) of Nitro, WV, Jon Shelton (Reyna) of Temecula, CA; four stepchildren who he loved as his own, Jason Wade (Jen) of Charleston, Christine Holstein (Eric) of Charleston, Tara Jordan (Travis) of Culloden, WV, and Mike Anderson (Amanda) of Charleston; 18 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and his two cat buddies, Bubba and Bruno. He was a huge fan of WVU football, basketball and baseball. Joe also found time for hunting, boating, golfing and bowling. He was a well-respected bowler back in the day with two perfect 300 games. Visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV. There will also be a one-hour visitation on Wednesday, March 11 at 11 a.m. prior to the Funeral Service, also at the funeral home. The Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon, with Pastor Ollie Parsons and Travis Jordan officiating. Burial will follow at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar, WV. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association Animal Shelter, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311. To read more about Joe's life and to send condolences to his family, please visit www.barlowbonsall.com. Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.