Shelby Horn

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Shelby Paul Horn, 82 of Joplin, MO passed from this life on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Landmark Hospital, Joplin, MO.

Shelby was born July 12, 1943 in Estill County, Kentucky to the union of Pryse and Hettie (Warner) Horn.

Shelby graduated from Kiser High School in Dayton, Ohio with the class of 1961. After graduation, he joined the United States Army in September of 1961 where he reached the rank of Captain and served in two tours of Vietnam as a fixed wing pilot with First Air Cav Division. He served until May of 1972.

He attended Pittsburg State and received his B.A. in political science in 1975. He then attended the University of Tennessee Law School, graduating in 1978. He received honors from both schools.

Shelby held many different positions throughout his life that include; Frontenac city attorney, assistant Crawford County attorney. He taught in the para legal program at Pittsburg State University for ten years. He and his brother-in-law Ted Watts started the Little Balkans review. Shelby was involved in several different organizations that include being a Kentucky Colonial, Sons of the American Revolution, Boonesborough Society, V.F.W., American Legion, Senior Counselor for the Kentucky Bar Association, Oswego Rotary Club, Pittsburg State Alumni Board and Kiser Alumni Association. In his free time, Shelby enjoyed writing, genealogy, gardening, reading, music and acting in local plays.

Shel was a defender of the Constitution and those people so often forgotten. He was an educated man of refined taste and storyteller. He was kind, a man of true character and lover of beauty. 

Shelby was united in marriage to Kaye (Newbanks) Horn on June 7, 1969 in Oswego, KS. She survives of the home. Additional survivors are daughter, Tonya Horn of Joplin, MO; nephews, Thom Watts (Sarah) and family of Pittsburg, KS, and Brad Watts (Julee) and family of Joplin, MO; three sisters, Eva Abney of Florida, Emma Stauffer of Ohio, and Cleta Daws of Ohio; several nieces, nephews, family and friends; three of his four-legged companions.

Shelby was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, and five sisters.

Shelby has been entrusted to Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Family will have services at a future date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com. Memorial donations may be made in Shel's name to the Joplin Humane Society.