Darrel J. Skinner Jr., 93, of Bluffton died at 7:25 a.m. Feb. 4, 2011 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. He was born Nov. 10, 1917 in Lima to Darrel J, and Iona Sellers Skinner. He married Cora Griffith who preceded him in death. On Dec. 26, 1980 he married Cleora Badertscher Golden and she survives.
Mr. Skinner retired from U.N.I. Supply, Lima. He was a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton and a graduate of Lima Central High School. He joined the Air Force in April 1942. He qualified in a P-38 and by July 1943 he was assigned to combat in North Africa, Sicily and Italy flying 50 missions and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters. He finished his military stint as a Captain, teaching instructor pilots stateside.
Survivors also include a son, Harold (Jan) Skinner of Lavonia, Mich., three daughters, Jeanne (Clifford) Garland of Defiance, Mo., Patricia (Dean) Wittwer of Findlay, Cheryl (Richard) Reese of Ada, and four grandchildren, Thomas and Katie Wittwer, Michael Reese and Katie Reese Hamm.
Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m. Monday at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton. The Revs. Eric Rummel and David Thompson will officiate. Burial will be in Pike Run Cemetery near Gomer.
Visitation will from 1-3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
