Clayton M. Shibles, 75

BELMONT — Clayton M. Shibles died Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, New Hampshire. A long-time resident of Belmont, New Hampshire, he was the son of Hilton and Grace Cram Shibles of Fryeburg, Maine and was born in Portland on May 28, 1935. He attended schools in Fryeburg and was a graduate of Fryeburg Academy.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, nascar races, blacksmithing, and antiquing.

Clayton retired after 18 years with the Maine Forestry Service. He began his volunteer service as a junior fireman and was later a member of both the fire department and the rescue squad; he was Chief of the LaGrange Fire Department. After retiring from the forestry service he held various supervisory positions. Clayton served for several years on the Belmont Planning Board. His great love was the blacksmith apprenticeship program which he headed for many years at the New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton, NH. Clayton was a Mason, a long-time member of the Grange, and was active in the Evangelical Baptist Church in Laconia.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Earle Shibles. He is survived by a son, Tony Shibles of Ossippe, NH, a sister, Maxine Wentworth of New Haven, CT, step-children: Susan Perrotti of Enfield, NH and Larry Jones of Belmont, NH, a niece and several nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Fryeburg, Maine.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Evangelical Baptist Church, 12 Veterans Square, Laconia (mailing address: 653 Main Street, Laconia, NH 3246).