Charles was born in Columbus on August 25, 1927 to the late Earl and Lillian Sheley. His only sibling, older brother Richard, died in childhood. He was a 1945 graduate from Columbus North High school and was elected to the Polar Bear Hall of Fame in 2002. Immediately following high school, Chuck served in the United States Navy as a Fireman First Class on the USS Bollinger in the South Pacific during World War II. Chuck was a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He met his loving wife of 69 years, Nancy, on a blind date while attending Ohio State, and the two were married on January 27, 1951 in Washington Court House, Ohio. They were passionate supporters of Ohio State University and OSU athletics, becoming lifetime members of the President’s Club, Buckeye Club and Alumni Association, and established the Charles and Nancy Sheley Endowed Scholarship for athletes pursuing a degree in Engineering.
Chuck started his post-graduate career as a Civil Engineer for V.N. Holderman & Sons, Inc. and later founded Hi-Way Paving, Inc. in 1969 along with John Geupel and Alvin Yinger. Chuck served as CEO and President until his retirement in 1996. Chuck was a registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Ohio and National Society of Professional Engineers. He was a past Chairman and Life Member of the American Concrete Pavement Association, and was elected to the Ohio Contractors Association Hall of Fame.
Chuck and Nancy have been active members of the United Methodist Church, formerly of King Avenue and currently of the Powell United Methodist Church. The extended family of friends and clergy of the Powell United Methodist Church have been a bedrock of faith, love and help to Chuck and his family. Chuck and Nancy established the Charles and Nancy Sheley Endowed scholarship at the Methodist Theological School.
Chuck and Nancy were soul-mates. They shared everything in life, most notably their love of family, travel, fly fishing, Ohio State University athletics and participation in the United Methodist Church. Their travels took them on safari in Africa, sharing OSU Alumni and Ohio Paving Contractors Association trips in Europe and Australia, as well as exploring and fly fishing excursions to the American West, Alaska, New Zealand and Canada. They split time from 1998-2018 between their homes in Worthington Hills and Estero, Florida.
Fly fishing was their shared passion and they were serious about it. After Chuck’s retirement, they took fly casting lessons together in the Florida Keys to improve their technique, then traveled extensively enjoying the fishing, food and culture of many regions. When not traveling and in later years, Chuck and Nancy spent many afternoons at the Zanesfield Rod & Gun Club fly fishing for trout and sharing a Bob Evans dinner on the way home.
Chuck loved the outdoors and avidly enjoyed fishing, hunting, birdwatching and photography. Much of his retirement was spent in these outdoor pursuits with Nancy and his family. Teaching and sharing his love of fishing to his children and grandchildren was one of Chuck’s greatest legacies. Chuck and Nancy actively supported The Nature Conservancy and National Audubon. Their appreciation of nature continues through their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Chuck is survived by his loving family of three children, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, September 17 at 1:00 pm at the Powell United Methodist Church in Powell, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, Chuck requested donations be made to the Powell United Methodist Church Endowment Fund and the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy Big Darby Creek Project.
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