By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
8 Comments
  • Visitation

    5:00pm - 7:00pm
    Tuesday, December 10, 2019
    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home
    Cisne, Illinois

  • Service

    10:30am
    Wednesday, December 11, 2019
    Poplar Creek Community of Christ Church
    Orchardville, Illinois

    Burial in Poplar Creek Cemetery
    Orchardville, Illinois

    Memorials to St. Jude's Children's hospital

  • Full Obituary

    Correna “Laura Jean” Skelton, 84, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on Thursday, December 5, 2019, with her husband John Skelton, her sister Shirley Fisk, and niece Joyce Garner by her side.

    Correna known as “Laura Jean” to many was born to the late Bert and Retha Henson, on August 6, 1935, in Orchardville, Illinois. Correna graduated from Wayne City High School in 1952 and was First Chair Trombone player in the school band and a proud Wayne City Indian.

    Correna married the love of her life after seven dates on May 27, 1956. After John and Correna married, they lived together in California, Maryland, Missouri, and Texas during John’s military career before relocating to Orchardville, Illinois in November of 1996.

    Correna is survived by her husband John of sixty-three years; her three children and their spouses Tonya M. Skelton and Larry A. Kimbrough of Houston, Texas; Jackie L. Bennaman and Kenneth J. Bennaman of Arnold, Maryland, and John Eric Skelton and Marina Nalli-Skelton of Hanover, Maryland.

    Correna is survived by five grandchildren, Dr. Madison L. Skelton-Phillips, twenty-seven years old, Kory M. Skelton, twenty-five years old of Phoenix, Arizona, Jacob M. Bennaman, eighteen years old of Arnold, Maryland, Adriane J. Skelton, fourteen years old and Luke A. Skelton, twelve years old of Hanover, Maryland.

    Correna is survived by her brother Nyhl Henson, sister Shirley Fisk, niece Joyce Garner, and nephew Jimmy Knauss.

    She is survived by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many, many friends.

    Correna was preceded in death by her daughter, Rhonda Lynn Skelton, parents Bert and Retha Henson, brother Olen Henson, sisters Marie Fry, Melba Knauss, and Rochelle Crowder.

    Correna was an accomplished pianist and singer performing at church, weddings, and many social events for most of her life. Correna passed her love and appreciation of music to her children and grandchildren. Mom was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.

    Correna was a lifelong member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now known as The Community of Christ Church. Correna was ordained to Office of Teacher in Austin, Texas then ordained to Office of Priest in Orchardville, Illinois.

    Visitation is from 5pm – 7pm Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home in Cisne, Illinois. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 10:30am at the Poplar Creek Community of Christ Church in Orchardville, Illinois with Evangelist John Etcheson officiating. Followed by the burial at Poplar Creek Cemetery in Orchardville, Illinois with Pastor Bill “Judd” McFarland of Montgomery, Alabama officiating.

    Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home.

    Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

8 Condolences
 
  1. Linda Jones / December 7, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    Our condolences to the family. Correna was a sweet lady. She made you feel like a part of her family.

  2. Alison E Carlstrom / December 7, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    Oh My Mrs Correna 🌺🌺🌺🌺 the fun goofy times we had together working in your church bumming around in Target & the drive thru resturant lol..you were like another mother to me we always got along so well you & i always had a blast when we were together i came over to your house seems like daily Jackie & Toyna were my big sisters & Eric was my big brother i loved your dogs to & of course Mr Skelton to i loved sending you cards & notes loved our talks by phone as well i remember when you walked in a puddle @ Target you sure did put up a brave & strong fight my dad will meet u in heaven !!! I will miss you & think of our fond memories until we meet again one day fly high with your beautiful Angel wings i love you girl !!! Is what she’d always say to me before we hung up …i recently got the chance to speak to her i am so very glad i did ➕ i will keep mr john skelton & family in my daily thoughts & prayers you are free from pain & with the Lord & young & healthy once again may God bless your family I love You Girl Alison Carlstrom 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌸🐶

  3. Marilyn (Shehorn) Tarbutton / December 7, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    To: John, Shirley, Nyhl , Joyce and Jimmy plus all the rest of the family. So sorry to learn about the passing of your dear Loved One Correna (Laura Jean) and my good friend and sister in Christ. May God bless each one of you at this time while you grieve and always we know that she has been called home to be with her Heavenly Father and I know that all of you will miss her dearly. I never will forget when we were back home one time and was at church and she could hardly wait to see me after church as it has been along time. Remember all the good times you had with her over the years as the memories are so precious. Wish I could be back there with all of you at this time to give you some support. My prayers are with all of you. With my deepest sympathy and lots of love. A friend always, Marilyn (Shehorn) Tarbutton out in California

  4. Gary & Debbie Etcheson / December 8, 2019 at 7:11 am

    Correna was truly on a life journey with our Lord and Savior. Those fortunate to know her were blessed by her love. Our sympathy goes out to John and family. Peace, Gary and Debbie Etcheson

  5. JerryWolfe / December 9, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    I have a lot of fond memories Of Correna and John. My prayers are with the family’

    Jerry Wolfe

  6. Elizabeth Wilson / December 11, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    John, Shirley, Nyhl, Joyce and Jim and rest of your family…. I.Just now learned of “Laura Jean’s ” passing.. I am so very sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories. Laura ( I mean Correna) and I had some fun times together during our youth and after she and John moved back to Illinois we saw each other a few times , but I thought
    about her and the Henson family quite often…They were special…. God Bless. all of you……Libby (Betty) Parker Wilson.

  7. Tim McKay / December 12, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    Mrs. Skelton was one of those rare people that made you feel like the most important person in the world while you were with her. She had a special way of leaving people feeling better about themselves than before they spoke with her. What a gift! I haven’t seen her in at least 20 years but she just leaves that impression on you where you always think about her and her family and hope & pray that they are doing well. I feel this loss as if I were a member of her family. She is such a strong & positive person that all who know her can feel the void left without her. The world has lost a beautiful person but she worked so tirelessly while on earth to help others that I know she is has earned a special place in paradise. Please continue to pray for and watch over us. Mr. Skelton, Tonya, Jackie & Eric I am deeply saddened for your loss which I know is magnitudes greater than the loss I feel right now. Please know that your wife and your mother had a profound and positive influence on so many. I feel blessed to have known her. Love the McKay Family. We miss you!

  8. Pamela Grohs (Goodwin) / January 23, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    John, Eric,Tonya and Jackie my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Correna. I remember her big,bright smile,kind heart,and the love she had for her family. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers

Leave a Condolence or Memory: