On May 16, 1958, William Robert and Carla Polson Zenk welcomed a baby, their third child and only daughter, Jerilyn Zenk Shelton. Jerilyn grew up in Concord, California, with her beloved father and mom and two brothers Stan and Bob. She loved her family so much. In high school Jeri loved being in the band, singing and performing, sewing — becoming skilled enough that she even made her own wedding dress! In 1976 she moved with her parents to Perry, Utah.
After graduation, Jerilyn wanted to be a schoolteacher and attended BYU where she met, fell in love with, and married Jim Shelton. The couple married Aug. 22, 1979, in the Logan Utah Temple. They lived in a few different areas in Utah before settling in Tooele where they have lived happily for 38 years.
Jeri always wanted to be a wife and mother and found immense joy in caring for her family. She is the mother to five children: Marie, Robert, Stephanie, Jessica, and Melinda Shelton. She gave selflessly to her family and spent much of her time gardening, preserving food, sewing, cooking, volunteering in schools and in church.
Jeri found even more joy when she became a grandmother. Her 16 grandchildren love and adore her.
Perhaps Jeri’s greatest joy in life came from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her love for the Lord was the center of everything she did. She served willingly and with her whole heart in many capacities among the children, youth, and adults of the church. Jeri also cherished the three years she was able to care for her father before he passed away of cancer in 2015.
In August of this year, Jeri was diagnosed with kidney cancer and after a short and intense battle, passed away on Nov. 4, 2023.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father. Jeri is survived by her loving husband Jim Shelton; her five children Marie Gebs (Shane), Robert Shelton (Allison), Stephanie Hintze (Zach), Jessica Walters (Zac) and Melinda Haines (Scott); and her 16 grandchildren; her two big brothers and many other loved ones.
A viewing will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1025 W. Utah Avenue, Tooele, Utah. A funeral service will follow at the same location at 11 a.m. Due to the observance of Veteran’s Day, the interment will take place Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at the Tooele City Cemetery at 10 a.m.
