John William "Papa John" Skinner, 78, died on May 10 at Kansas Medical Center, Andover. He was born Oct.1, 1932, at Baxter, Mo., the son of Wesley Alexander and Thelma Irene (Reinecke) Skinner.

Mr. Skinner was a lifetime Great Bend area resident. He operated Skinner Appliances. He served during the Korean Conflict in the United States Air Force. He was faithful in his belief to Jesus.

His survivors include: two sons, John C. Skinner and wife Reneé of Great Bend, and Daniel I. Skinner of Burdett; two daughters, Shelly Penny and husband Steve of Cape Girardeau, Mo. and Amy Schmitt and husband Bill of Burdett; stepson, David Goldsmith of Hartford; four sisters, Ersell Tiede of Great Bend, June Yahne of Great Bend, Bernadine Sullivan of Great Bend, and Carol Larkin of Enid, Okla.: five grandchildren, Steven Penny, Sam Penny, Justin Schmitt, Jonathon Skinner, and Alyssa Skinner .

He was preceded in death one infant son, two infant daughters, three brothers, Bud, Ray, and Gene Skinner; two sisters, Donna Schroeder and Betty Hopkins; and by one granddaughter, Amber Rose Schmitt.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. The officiants will be Brad Stuefen and Doug Ogden. Interment will be at Great Bend Cemetery with Air Force honors conducted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday, May 15 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 3 to 5 p.m.

Memorials can be made to John William Skinner Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS, 67530