Skeen, Grover Cleveland

Passed: 1985-05-16

Age: 92

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1985-05-22

Information: Grover Cleveland Skeen, one of Jackson County's oldest residents, departed this life on May 16, 1985, at the age of 92, at his home on Spencer Road.  His death came as a result of complications following major surgery, in Winter Haven, Fla.  In 1921, he married Sarah Winter of Plum Orchard.  They were parents of three children:  Woodrow, who lost his life in an automobile accident in 1950, and daughters, Virginia Skeen and Eva Chancey, wife of James Chancey.  Their three grandchildren are:  Steven, Atlanta, Ga., Rebecca, Cupertino, Calif., and Sgt James Chancey, Jr., stationed in Turkey.      Mr. Skeen cherished his friends and relatives.  At the age of four years, following the death of his mother, Nancy Mays Skeen, his father, Stephen Skeen, placed him in the care of Elijah and Florence Skeen of Belgrove.  He grew up in the love and strength of a Christian home where he had the association of three foster sisters and four foster brothers.  Surviving are:  Mrs. Delmer Hutton, Evans, Rudie, Wellston, Ohio, Estel, Gay, Glenver, Ripley, and Carl, Charleston.  In addition, he is survived by one half-brother, Clyde of St. Albans, and a half-uncle, Lee Mays of Ripley.  Preceding him in death were twin brothers, Capt. George H. and Captain Henry C. and Everette and Owens Skeen; foster brother, Adrain C. Skeen; foster sisters, Mrs. Carl Morris and Mrs. Ethel Long.      He was a World War I veteran and the holder of decorations for his service in three major conflicts in France.  Until the last few years, he remained active in service organizations.  A retired Conservation Officer, he had many extraordinary experiences and often shared those experiences with friends.  He was devoted to the preservation of forests and wildlife and was at ease with students of conservation.  Mr. Skeen had many interests in life, including his love of music, which he studied enthusiastically for many years.  He was a gifted writer and spent hours writing for his own enjoyment. On occasion, some of his writings were printed in The Jackson Herald.      Funeral services were held Sunday, May 19, in the Calvary United Methodist Church, where he had been a member for 40 years, with the Rev. David Cox officiating.  He was assisted by James Hutton, who read the obituary and tribute to his uncle.  The Calvary Choir sang ""For the Beauty of the Earth"" and ""Battle Hymn of the Republic"".  Pallbearers were grandson, Steven Chancey, Charles Williams, Ralph Parsons, Rod Price, Dick Waybright, and Ray Miller.  Honorary pallbearers were:  his uncle, Lee Mays, A. Ford Winters, Victor Skeen, James J. Robinson, Norman Slaughter, Hays A. Carpenter, Donald Myers, Roderick Casto, Dana Wolfe, Timothy Choy and Lewis Harper.  Conservation Officer John Casto and retired Conservation Officers, Millard Haynes of Sherman and Ralph Smith of Vienna and retired forester, Gene Armstrong of Mineral Wells, were also honorary pallbearers.  Willard Kessel and Morley Parsons served as ushers and the Methodist Women assisted the family at the church prior to the service.  Ron Waybright and Eddie Parsons of Parsons Funeral Home were in charge of the arrangements, and burial was in the family plot at Goshen Cemetery.