John D. Clary

John D. Clary, age 88, of Shelby, died Wednesday morning, December 11, 2024 at Belmont Tower- Brethren Care Village in Ashland where he and his wife, Geneva, reside.

John was born May 23, 1936 in Nutley, NJ to the late Willard and Elizabeth “Betty” (Dickinson) Clary. A fond memory of his childhood was his attendance at Harmon Hall Boarding School in Maine which was later followed by graduation from Nutley High School in 1954. He then attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst where he studied horticulture. His studies and time at Stockbridge forged a connection with the Head Groundskeeper for Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield, who was a fellow alum. A job at Kingwood Center brought him to Ohio. It was at a square dance at the Mansfield YMCA where John met Geneva A. Green. They married on Christmas Day, December 25, 1958- the start of their nearly 66-year story together. From the beginning of their marriage, John and Geneva became members of the First United Methodist Church in Shelby where they were faithful and active their entire lives.

John later took a job with “The Tuby” in Shelby where he would spend his career and retire from. However, his love of nature and anything outdoors would never leave him. John loved flowers, lawn care, and especially trees, which were his specialty. Birdwatching paired well with his love for animals, especially their many pets they had over the years. His favorite place was their family cottage on Waukeena Lake in Danbury, NH which, over the years, they traveled to often and made many memories.

Geneva survives along with grandchildren: Tyler Morgan and Brittany (Mark) Bechtol; great grandchildren: Madisyn Morgan, Elijah Morgan, and Harrison Bechtol; brother: Ed (Audrey) Clary of MA; and nieces, a nephew, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his son: Peter D. “Pete” Clary and daughter: Rebecca A. “Becky” Morgan.

Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 10:30-11:30 am where funeral services will immediately follow at 11:30 am. Chaplain Dean Pierce, Chaplain at Brethren Care Village, will officiate the services with burial following in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 18 S Gamble Street, Shelby, OH 44875.

Condolences may be made on John’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).