Obituaries

February 26, 1928 to April 17, 2017

WINAMAC - Patricia C. Sturm Skillen of Hartford City (formerly of Spring Hill, Fla. and Leesurg) passed away at the Trails of Orono Assisted Living Facility, Orono, Minn. on Monday, April 17.

She was born Feb. 26, 1928 in Jasper, Ind. to the late Victor and Clara Sturm. She married John D. Skillen on July 17, 1954 in Jasper. He preceded her in death in 2013.

Survivors include sons Jeffrey Charles Skillen and Steven Victor Skillen; daughter Ann Clare (Tom) Lockwich and grandchildren Natalie Skillen and Blake Skillen

She was preceded in death by sisters Marianne Fritch and Ruth Suttmiller; and brother George Sturm.

Mrs. Skillen graduated from Jasper High School in 1946. A year later, she left with $50 and two dresses for Indianapolis to attend St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing. She was a student council representative and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1950. After graduation she worked for Western Electric in Indianapolis as an industrial nurse where she met her husband. After marriage they moved to Dayton, OH for his work. They later moved to Hartford City, and then to Keokuk. Upon her husband's retirement in 1989, they moved to Tippecanoe Lake in Leesburg where they enjoyed many fine years with friends and family on the lake. In 2000, they moved to Spring Hill, Fla. to reside at the Timber Pines golfing community. After her husband's passing, she stay stayed in Florida with her daughter, and later in Orono, Minn. with her youngest son.

Mrs. Skillen was an excellent, lifelong golfer playing in the weekly women’s golf league at the Blackford Country Club in Hartford City, competing and winning in invitational golf tournaments in the regional area. She was also was a member of the Keokuk, Iowa Country Club league. She achieved her first hole-in-one when she was 72 years old while playing in the weekly league at Timber Pines in Spring Hill, Fla. She and her husband were avid bridge players, belonging to a couples bridge club, and she belonged to a women’s bridge club as well. She was an active member in Psi Iota Xi Sorority in Hartford City. She and her husband were active supporters of charitable and church organizations. She became a real estate agent in 1976 and worked as a realtor in Hartford City and in Keokuk. She was also the consummate homemaker; an accomplished seamstress, anexcellent cook and baker. Patricia had an artistic side to her and painted water colors, sketched women’s profiles and landscapes. She had a knack for interior decorating. Most of all she was a beloved wife and cherished mom who brought her sense of humor and love to her home and family's lives. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by all.

A memorial service will be held on May 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, followed by mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or to Hospice Care for Veteran’s directed to the Henry B. Melrose Veterans Honor Fund.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com