Thursday, March 28, 2024

Opal Skelton – Obituary

Opal Skelton, 92, of Vienna, IL, passed away Saturday evening , November 24, 2001, at 8 p.m. at the Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis, IL.

Opal was born July 23, 1909, in Belknap Township, IL. She was the daughter of Tom Bost and Mary (Johnson) Bost.

She was united in marriage to Clella Thorne on May 9, 1924. She was later united in marriage to James Hugh ‘Red’ Skelton on November 14, 1945, in Union City, TN. He preceded her in death in 1957.

Survivors include: threee daughters- Ruth Caraker of Vienna, IL, Alice Schultz and her husband Arthur, of Midlothian, IL, and Norma Lane and her husband Robert, of Browning, IL. Two sons- Bob Thorne and wife Mildred of Vienna, IL, and Denny Skelton and his wife Linda of Vienna, IL. One stepson- Jimmy Skelton of Idaho, and one stepdaughter- Irene Canfield and her husband Bob of Garden Valley, ID, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

She is also survived by two sisters- Nellie Potterham of Elkhart, IN, and Betty Hill of Marion, IL. two brothers- Carl Bost of Elkhart, IN, and Edwin Bost of California. Several nieces and nephews.


In addition to her Parents & Husbands, Opal was preceded in death by: An infant son – Lloyd Douglas Thorne, four brothers- James F. Bost, Paul Bost, J.R. Graves, and Doris Bost, and two sisters- Mildred Sanders and Mary Black.

Opal was a homemaker. She was a member of the 4th & Lewis St. Church of Christ in Vienna, IL. Opal enjoyed flower gardening, quilting, crocheting and sewing.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, November 27, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Rev. Tim Blankenship will officiate. Burial will be in the Belknap Masonic Cemetery. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Monday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Drive, Suite 403, Decatur, IL 62526. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.