John W. Skinner

Mr. John W. Skinner, 77, Williamsburg, passed away Friday evening, October 10, at Reid Hospital.


Born October 20, 1930 in Richmond, he was the son of Blaine and Irene Kaucher Skinner. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1951 and entered the US Army in October 1953, serving until October 1955. He married the former Ruby Eldridge on April 28, 1954 and they raised 4 children together.


Mr. Skinner worked as a machinist 31½ years at Richmond Gear Works before retiring in 1986. He also farmed and enjoyed life in the country, feeding deer, wild turkey and other wildlife. He loved time spent supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a fan of IU and Purdue basketball and NASCAR.


Mr. Skinner will be missed by his wife, Ruby; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Dennisse and Marty Crumbaugh, Waxhaw, NC and Traci and Pat Trotter, Richmond; 2 sons, John William Skinner II and Gary Skinner and his wife, Sherry, all of Currie, NC; 7 grandchildren, Staci Vredeveld and her husband, Jeremy, Amanda Thornton and her husband, Justin, Todd Crumbaugh, Cory Crumbaugh, Julie Anderson, and her husband, Sean, Hannah Trotter and Holly Trotter; 5 great-grandchildren, Makenzie Thornton, Connor Thornton, Alexis Crumbaugh, Zoey Anderson and Myles Anderson; 1 sister, Reva Ingle, Galesburg, IL; 2 brothers, Cecil Skinner and his wife, Stella, Galesburg, IL and Earl Skinner, Richmond; several nieces and nephews including his special niece, Shirley Morrison and her husband, Dan, Quincy, IL, and his special dog, Charlie.


Mr. Skinner was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Reba Stikeleather, and 1 brother, James Skinner.


A funeral ceremony will be conducted by Phil Thomas at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery in Fountain City.


Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14 at the funeral home.