John Ira Skelton

Monday, April 7, 2025
11:00 a.m.
Flora Community of Christ Church
Flora, IL

Burial in Poplar Creek Cemetery
Monday, April 7, 2025
2;00 pm
Orchardville, IL

John Ira Skelton, 88, passed away peacefully at Marion VA Hospice Care Unit in Marion, IL on Saturday, March 29, 2025, with his daughter, Tonya M. Kimbrough, and his son-in-law Larry A. Kimbrough by his side.

John was born to the late C. Harold and Opal Skelton, on October 24, 1936, in Fairfield, IL. John attended Fairfield Community High School in Fairfield, IL and Phoenix Union High school in Phoenix, AZ.

John was married to the love of his 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, IL in November of 1996.

John is survived by his three children and their spouses, Tonya M. Kimbrough 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.

John is survived by five grandchildren, Madison L. Skelton- Phillips, Kory M. Skelton both of Phoenix Arizona, Jacob M. Bennaman of Arnold, Maryland, Adriane J. Skelton and Luke A. Skelton of Hanover, Maryland and two great grandchildren Kemrie L. Phillips and Amelia G. Phillips of Phoenix, Arizona.

John is survived by his sister, Deborah Schmitz of Pevely, Missouri and a brother Charles Skelton of Evanston, Illinois.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Correna Skelton, daughter, Rhonda Lynn Skelton, parents Harold and Opal Skelton, sister, Ann Skelton-Parker, and great grandson Grayson A. Phillips.

John was a proud veteran he served twenty-two years and seven months, from May 1974 to November 1996, in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) (retired). John also served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1956.

John was a dedicated member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for twenty-two years and six months from March 1, 1964, to August of 1986. He also entered the Riverside Police Department in Riverside California from 1961-1963.

John completed his college education from Northeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Law Enforcement and Corrections from 1971-1976. He also completed a second degree, Bachelor of Applied Science in Political Science and Government from 1991-1994.

Dad was immensely proud of his family and leaves behind nothing but wonderful memories. Dad was known to have a beautiful singing voice. As a young boy he sang in the Alto section of the Moore’s Boys Choir and the Phoenix Union High school Oratorio Society.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Flora Community of Christ Church in Flora, Illinois with Evangelist John Etcheson officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm at Poplar Creek Cemetery in Orchardville, Illinois, Monday April 7, 2025, with Pastor Bill “Judd” McFarland of Montgomery, Alabama officiating.

In memory of John I. Skelton, please consider making a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project instead of sending flowers. http//support.woundedwarriorproject.org

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

Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.