T. Michael Clement

T. Michael (Mike) Clement passed away at home on October 8, 2024. Always devoted to his family, Mike had worked hard to recover from undergoing a complicated heart surgery on October 2, so that he could return home to his wife, Nancy, as quickly as possible.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday October 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Alexander Catholic Church in Port Edwards. Rev. John Swing will preside. Visitation will take place from 9:00AM until the time of service. An inurnment will follow at Good Shepherd Mausoleum.
Mike was born on March 6, 1945, to Julia (Judy) Clement Shaner. He was adopted at age 10 by his newlywed uncle and aunt, Norman ("Ozzie") and Janet Leiser, and raised as their son and, later, big brother to their five younger children.
Mike graduated from John Edwards High School in Port Edwards in 1963, and earned his bachelor's degree from UW Stevens Point in 1975. While going to school, Mike started working as a production and shipping clerk at Wyandotte Chemicals in Port Edwards when it first opened in 1967. He spent his entire 35-year professional career at "the plant," which later became BASF Wyandotte and, then, Vulcan Chemicals (now ERCO Worldwide), retiring as the long-time Administration Manager. Mike stayed busy even in retirement, including several years as a Starter and Marshal at Lake Arrowhead and as a Bailiff for the Wood County judicial system.
While attending UWSP, Mike had to hitch a ride back to Port with a friend one Friday in 1965. As soon as he got home, he phoned his pal to ask for the name of the quiet girl who had grabbed the same ride. He learned that she was Nancy Owens. Though it took Mike several days to summon up the courage to phone Nancy, he eventually did so. Their first date was to a dance at the Riverside Bar, where The Zakons were playing. Marrying in 1969, Mike and Nancy have been together for 55 years.
In their earlier years, Mike enjoyed taking trips with Nancy and their children, including an annual summer vacation to a cottage on Dam Lake in northern Wisconsin, as well as trips to Disney World and Yellowstone National Park. After retirement, Mike and Nancy had fun traveling throughout the United States, especially annual trips to Myrtle Beach and winter holiday trips "out east" to visit two of their children and their families.
Mike spent many years as a public servant, including as Port Edwards Village President and as a member of the JEHS School Board. A resident of Wisconsin Rapids since 2005, Mike never stopped thinking of Port Edwards, a community of which he was very proud, as home, too. He truly enjoyed his friends, with whom he often (REALLY often) shared stories about his kids and grandkids, especially over breakfast, wings or dice games. Above all, Mike was devoted to his family – Nancy, his kids and grandkids, and the Leisers.
Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy, and children Amy Foerster (Mike Finio) of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Becky Clement of Berlin, Wisconsin, and Robert Clement (Becky) of Dumfries, Virginia; as well as his grandchildren Ryan, Alyssa and Brendan Foerster, and Emily Clement Pennebaker (Scott) and Joe Clement (fiancé, Caeli McGraw); and siblings Jennifer Roth (Robin), John Leiser (Steven Siedlecki), Jim Leiser (Mary Schwanebeck), Jerene Sillars (Mark), Joan Harnisch (Don), as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the T. Michael Clement Memorial Fund at the Port Edwards Education Foundation, P.O. Box 99, 801 Second Street, Port Edwards, WI 54469-0099
Ritchay Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.