Arnold Skinner

Arnold Skinner

Jan. 14, 1932 – Sept. 21, 2009

Arnold “Lee” Skinner, 77, of Morrisonville died at 11:27 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2009, in Memorial Medical Center.

He was born January 14, 1932, in Palmer, the son of Orville and Edith Oller Skinner. He married Donna Jean Chelli on September 13, 1953, at Morrisonville Baptist Church. Lee was a 1951 graduate of Morrisonville High School. He worked as a manager of Swift Fertilizer in Morrisonville. He then worked as a coal miner at Monterey Coal Company from 1971 to 1976 and then as a section foreman with Freeman United Coal Company from 1976 until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Morrisonville. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Surviving are his son, Lee Ray Skinner of Morrisonville; daughters: Debra Neff, Twyla Bryan and Jodi Bockewitz, all of Springfield, Laura (husband Scott) Ogden of Raymond, Carole Skinner of Stonington, Clarice (husband William) Haskins and Denise (husband William) Dill, both of Belleville; 15 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Glen (wife Virginia) Skinner of Raymond; sister, Ellen (husband Jay) Hadley of Boonville, IN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Norman Ray Skinner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26, in First Baptist Church, Morrisonville, with Pastor Chad Foster officiating. Burial will be in Morrisonville Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #721.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 25, in the church. Perfetti Funeral Home, Morrisonville, is in charge of arrangements.