Clement Shutler
After graduating high school Clem joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served on the Aircraft Carrier the USS Independence in the Guard Detachment for the security of the ship. It was the first east coast carrier to serve in Viet Nam. While in the Marines, Clem traveled entirely around the world, enjoying a sampling of different countries and their interesting cultures.
After finishing his four years of service in the Marines, Clem worked on water line construction for a year. After that he worked four years recapping tires for a company in New Martinsville, before being hired by Ohio Power Company as a coal equipment operator and a towboat pilot at the Mitchell Plant. After working at Ohio Power thirty years, Clem retired in the spring of 2003.
Clem has always enjoyed working outdoors, and every year he plants a large vegetable garden. He especially likes trying odd and unusual kinds of vegetables. Last year it was different peppers, and in addition to the usual green, yellow and red peppers, he grew chocolate, gold and purple peppers. This year he grew okra and a variety of potatoes, including various white and red potatoes, as well as blue potatoes and Yukon Gold Potatoes.
Clem met his wife Nancy, who is originally from Bridgeport, Ohio, in 1968. They have been married for 34 years and have two children, Ronna and Pete, and they have three grandchildren.
Over the years Nancy has worked at several different companies in secretarial work. She has always enjoyed sewing and various crafts, as well as music and reading. She has played her guitar at her church prayer group each week for 30 years, leading the prayer group in song and worship. Nancy also has a keen interest in Scripture study, both the Bible and other ancient texts. She has read many books about the body/mind connection, the power of prayer and positive thinking, and how our thinking affects our bodies and our lives.
About 16 years ago Nancy began studying Tai Chi, which is a holistic exercise system that strengthens the body and calms the mind and spirit. She now teaches Tai Chi at several places in the area including the Wheeling Senior Center, Slender Lady in St. Clairsville, and Calvary United Methodist Church in Moundsville.
About fourteen years ago Clem and Nancy began their hobby of growing a large variety of perennial plants, flowers and herbs but eventually they narrowed their focus down to daylilies. They became fascinated with the many newer varieties that have very distinctly ruffled or braided edges. After purchasing quite a number of these new fancy varieties, they began to cross-pollinate (hybridize) these daylilies, producing some of their own very special daylily flowers. Clem has enjoyed selling some of his surplus plants at the Marshall County Farmers Market and various flea markets in the area for a number of years.
