Services Held for John Ira Skidmore May 29

Funeral services for John Ira Skidmore were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington on Wednesday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Norman Schroeder officiating.

Joyce Johnson was vocalist and sang the hymn “In the Garden.” Miriam Sukraw was organist. Casket bearers were James Hawkins, Donald Johnson, Gene Cameron, Randy Spizman, Gary Bucher and Mike Hawkins.

Interment was in the Blair Cemetery at Blair, Nebraska. Hadan-Golden Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

John Ira Skidmore was born May 30, 1905 at Slabtown, Missouri to George and Agnes York Skidmore. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Hawkins February 2, 1952. John and Dorothy lived in Bennington since their marriage. John was baptized in the Christian faith in July of 1931.

John spent 20 years working for the Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River barges. Following that he worked for the Omaha Transit Company until retirement in 1971.

He loved to work in the outdoors in his gardens. He appreciated the quietness of sitting by the shoreline, fishing.

He loved his family. Ten years ago he was reunited with his son Donald and daughter Barbara of California after 35 years of separation.

John died on Sunday, May 26, at the Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha at the age of 79 years, 11 months and 26 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Mildred Lucille Skidmore; three brothers and four sisters.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; four caring sons: Donald of San Diego, California, Richard Hawkins of Bennington, Nebraska, Eugene Hawkins of Omaha, and James Hawkins of West Bend, Wisconsin; one daughter—Barbara Frost of Anaheim, California; two sisters—Sally Leonard of Lecoma, Missouri, and May Sullins of Licking, Missouri; one brother—Ruben Skidmore of Lecoma, Missouri; 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

~~~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library, Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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