Richard S. Shelden, 86, of Cherry Valley, Illinois died Wednesday afternoon, December 3, 2008 in Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center after a lingering illness. Dick was born July 30, 1922 in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Elvin L. and Ella D. (Spencer) Shelden. He married Bernita H. Brown on November 1, 1946 in Belvidere. Dick served our country during World War II in the US Army 42nd Rainbow Division, 222 Regiment in France, Germany and Austria. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star. Dick was part of a delegation to visit Dachow Concentration Camp on the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of the camp. During his working career, Dick started with Greenlee Bros as a design engineer and continued work with Sundstrand Corp. in Design/Sales engineering. He held a number of patents. He became a partner in Rockford Automation and then worked for Barber-Coleman Co. retiring in the late 1980's. Dick was deeply involved in the community holding memberships and leadership positions with the Rockford Downtown Kiwanis, Sundstrand Retirees, CherryVale Pacers and Walkers, Shel-Doc. After his retirement, bicycling became a very important part of his life. He won several medals in the Senior Olympics and on a number of occasions rode his bike more than 100 miles in a single day. He was a representative of Santa Claus, even dressing the part for the children at church and the Elks club. He was a great believer in education, serving on the Cherry Valley School Board, teaching the supervisors and line people at Chrysler the design process and teaching at Rock Valley's Learning in Retirement program, computers. He served on the presidential campaign for John B. Anderson and was involved with the Salvation Army food distribution program and bell ringing. He was also a volunteer fireman with the Cherry Valley Fire Department. Dick enjoyed the outdoors and gardening and tending to his apple orchard. He had the best cider. He loved to visit his daughter and son-in-law's farm to assist in projects and implement improvements. Dick enjoyed poetry and dancing with his wife. He and Bernita were members of the Ostende Dance Club. Dick was baptized at the Cherry Valley Methodist Church was a faithful member of Our Master's United Methodist Church.Survivors include his wife, Bernita; daughter, Patricia (Dale) Muyskens of Athens, MI; son, Richard (Margaret) Shelden of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Ian (Neha) and Marcelo; great-grandchildren, Nisha, Cailea; sister, Janet (Neal) Hildebrand of Orangeville, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and sister, Dorothy Shelden.

Memorials may be given in care of Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108 in Richard's memory.