Marvin Ray Nutter, of Uniontown, Ohio, passed away on Friday, March 20th. Marvin was born at home on Crooked Run, Harrison County, West Virginia on September 22, 1936. He was the fifth child and first son of Presley H. and Lectie G. (Cottrill) Nutter. His first nine years were spent in a four-room house with eight other family members. There was no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing but plenty of food and love. As many as six relatives would visit for days or weeks at a time.
Marvin attended Adamston Grade School and graduated in 1954 from Victory High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in January 1955 and served for 20 years in the “Seabees” (Construction Battalion). He was stationed in California, the Philippines, Guam, Kwajalein, Alaska, Japan, Vietnam, Bermuda, and at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Marvin married Deborah Shanholtz of Shinnston, West Virginia, on November 3, 1957, which he said was the “best move of his life.” Debbie accompanied Marvin to California, Japan, Bermuda and Annapolis. She spent multiple months taking care of home while Marvin was deployed. Debbie supported Marvin in all that he did, and she was the center of his world.
After retiring from the Navy, Marvin owned his own construction business, and then worked for the U.S. Postal Service until 1997, retiring with 20 years of service. Marvin loved to fix houses, and often helped friends and family with projects. He was an avid public radio, food bank, and Habitat for Humanity supporter. He enjoyed Hank Williams and Andy Griffith. He loved to keep things tidy, organized, and archived, including nearly every greeting card he received, each dated by year on the back.
Debbie passed away on February 15th of this year, and Marvin was the last surviving sibling in his family. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by one son, Richard Nutter, brother Donald Nutter, and sisters Wilma Sandy, Lois Nutter, Rosalee Davis, and Retta Sharp.
He is survived by his daughter, Sonya Sowards (and her husband, Mike), his daughter, Beverly Clark, and his son, Steven Nutter. He also leaves four grandchildren, Aaron Sowards (Hollie), Sarah Blackburn (Lance), Catherine McElroy (John), and Zachary Clark (Anna), along with eight great-grandchildren, Aliyah, Charley, Scarlett, Dominic, Vivian, Aubrie, Lucas, and Ashton. .
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10:00AM-11:00AM. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00AM with Pastor Marvin Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Donate to Veterans – Homes For Our Troops at hfotusa.org
Online memories and condolences may be shared at harmerfuneralhome.com
A service of Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.