Clifton Lyme Skelcher, 91, of Marion passed away on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 11:46 PM at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.
Clifton was born November 26, 1922 in Cambria the son of Jack and Vernell (Campbell) Skelcher. He married Berdella Simmons on December 29, 1945 in Murphysboro and together they have shared over 68 years of marriage.
Clifton Skelcher, World War II U.S Navy Veteran, won five bronze stars winning his fifth at the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, which became a Silver Battle Star having been in the first wave landing at Omaha Beach. Before Normandy and having participated in every major invasion of Europe, Clifton was in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily, two invasions of Italy, and southern France. Later in the Pacific Theatre of War, he was in the invasion of the Philippines liberating the islands from the Japanese occupation, and then he was in the invasion of Okinawa. He next prepared for the invasion of Japan before the atomic bombs were dropped ending the war with Japan in August 1945. Clifton Skelcher was a war hero and a great American patriot.
He retired as President of Laborer’s International Union of North American Local #380. Clifton was a member of Lantana Southern Baptist Church of Carbondale, VFW Post #2035 of Brownsville, Texas.
Survivors include his;
Wife – Berdella Skelcher of Marion
Two sons;
Larry Skelcher and wife Barbara of Goreville
Bradley Skelcher and wife Dinah Lynn DeMoss of Smyrna, Delaware
Two grandsons;
Jack Skelcher and wife Lana of Goreville
Jason Skelcher of Herrin
Four great grandchildren;
Caleb Skelcher of Goreville
Colton Skelcher of Goreville
Casey Skelcher of Goreville
Danielle Marie Skelcher of Herrin
Three nephews;
Clifton Skelcher and wife Carol of Carterville
Michael Skelcher and wife Sharon of Carterville
Jack Morris and wife Kathy of Energy
Preceded by his Parents, Brother – Cline Skelcher and Sister – Annabelle Morris
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Noon at the Goddard Chapel with Chaplin Drew Tomberlin officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Military rites will be presented by Marion’s VFW Post #1301, American Legion Post #147 and members of the National Guard Flag Detail Unit. Visitation will be Thursday from 10 am until the time of service at the Goddard Chapel. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, it is the family’s wish that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association. Envelopes will be available on the day of the service at Goddard Chapel or at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.