Jean Marie Wallis Skinner
Jean passed peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday October 25, 2015 at Hendricks County Hospital in Danville IN. Jean was born on June 12, 1931 in Cairo Illinois. She was the daughter of St. Elmo Wallis of Mayfield, Kentucky and Marie (Moreland) Wallis of Cairo, IL. She is preceded in death by her father St. Elmo Wallis, her mother Marie Wallis, her husband Harold A. Skinner and her sister Ruth Hoskins. Jean attended and graduated from Cairo HS in 1949. She received a BS and MS in Home Economics from Southern Illinois University. Jean married her long time sweet heart Harold A. Skinner in Cairo IL on June 13, 1954. She and Harold had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild: Marianne Skinner of Belleville, IL; Margaret (Skinner) Henthorne, Michelle and daughter Molly, Melody and Robert Henthorne Jr. of Hillsdale, MI; Marcia Skinner, Jennifer and Nina Skinner of Carterville, IL; and Harold Allen Skinner Jr., Lindsey, Nathan and Linus Skinner of Columbia, SC. She loved her son-in-law Robert Henthorne and daughter-in-law Jaqueline Skinner as she would her own children. Jean's career began as a teacher at Eldorado and Equality HS. When she and Harold moved to McLeansboro in 1961, she served as Hamilton Co. Extension Adviser from Univ. of IL for 20 years and as Expanded Nutrition Program Adviser for 8 yrs. She was active in National, Illinois and district Association of Extension Home Economics. She loved square dancing, 4-H, Fall Festival in Exhibits, band parents, Hospital Auxiliary, Association of Mentally Challenged, Historical Society, served as chairman of History for Hamilton County Sesquicentennial in 1971, church historian for Sesquicentennial in 1985. She was also a Rebekah president, United Methodist Women, Twilight Unit H.E.A., Hospital Auxiliary, United Methodist Village contact, Senior Citizen's Kitchen Band. She spent many hours as "Grandma Jean" at the Hamilton Co. Pre-School reading to the classes. Jean moved from McLeansboro in 2007 to Indianapolis IN. Jean continued to be active with the library, bingo, tai chi, water aerobics, computer classes and water color painting. She enjoyed traveling with Elder Hostel tours. She enjoyed most visiting with her friends and family and gathering to enjoy food and stories. A private service was held in Indianapolis with her family. Jean will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Harold at IOOF Cemetery in McLeansboro, IL. Further arrangements are still pending. Jean's passing brings great sorrow to her family and those who knew her well, but also great joy and peace as she is with her husband again.