Linda (Vernon) Shelton

Linda Shelton (nee Vernon), 85, of Berkeley Township, NJ passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025. Linda was born to Daniel and May Vernon on September 21, 1939, in Irvington, NJ. Later in life, she lived in Jackson, NJ, before moving to Berkeley Township.

Linda’s love of horses as a child continued into adulthood. She owned several standardbred racehorses during her career as horse trainer and driver. Linda has many plaques for her racehorses’ win, place, and show finishes at Freehold Raceway and Atlantic City Raceway.

Linda was also a great fan of the Yankees. She went on a Yankees’ cruise with the entire Yankees team, and she has many Yankees memorabilia, including some autographed baseballs. Later in life, Linda loved living near the water, going crabbing, and making the best crab chowder anyone ever tasted!

Linda was predeceased by her husband Paul Shelton and her son Russell “Rusty” Pietrone. She is survived by her children Nicholas Pietrone, Jr. and his wife Maria of Watchung, NJ, and Donna McKiernan and her husband Jack, of Jackson, NJ; grandson Jeremy Pietrone and his wife Melissa of Toms River; great grandson Jaden; her brother Dr. Daniel Vernon Jr. and his wife Donna of Morriston, Fl, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 9:00am until the funeral service at 10:00am at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River. Burial to follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Jackson, NJ. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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