Obituaries

July 6, 1927 to April 4, 2013

WINAMAC -  John Daniel Skillen, 85, Spring Hill, FL, formerly of Indiana and Iowa, passed away at 1:10 p.m., Thursday, April 4, in Oak Hill Hospital, Brooksville, FL.

He was born on July 6, 1927 in Winamac, to the late Charles and Violet MetzSkillen.

Survivors include:
Patricia Claire Skillen, Spring Hill, FL, Wife
Jeffrey Charles Skillen, Son
Ann Claire (Tom) Lockwich, Clearwater, FL, Daughter
Steven Victor Skillen, Independence, MN, Son
Natalie Skillen, Granddaughter
Blake Skillen, Grandson
Joan Henry, Winamac, Sister
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:

Robert "Bob" Skillen, Brother

Mr. Skillen graduated from Winamac High School where he lettered every year in basketball. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After his service in the Navy he attended and graduated from Purdue University. He then went to work at the General Electric Corporation in Indianapolis where he met his wife Patricia. They were married on July 17, 1954 in Jasper, IN. After their marriage, he worked for Drydon Rubber. He was then employed by Sheller-Globe Corporation for 29 years, and held the general plant manager position in Montpelier, IN for over 20 years. He retired from the company in 1989 as general manager and a member of the bank board, in Keokuk, IA. He was also a co-owner of Heartland Packaging Company.

Mr. Skillen was an avid fisherman since his boyhood in Winamac and was nicknamed "Kingfish" for his superior angler skills as he fished the Tippecanoe River. He hunted regularly, was a competitive golfer, and strategic bridge player. After his retirement, he resided in Leesburg, IN on Tippecanoe Lake where he took up woodworking, making oak and cherry wood furniture for his family. In 2000, he and his wife, Patricia, moved to Timber Pines golfing community in Springhill, FL where he lived comfortably until the time of his death. He was a loyal, devoted, and beloved husband and father.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project.