Rev. Donald E. SKILES

SKILES, STAMBAUGH, CLARK, ALLEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/4/2009 at 14:00:04

The Rushville Times
McDonough County, Illinois
December 8, 1999

OBITUARY - REV. DONALD E. SKILES

Rev. Donald E. SKILES, 95, of Colchester [Illinois], died at 5:40 p.m. Monday, November 29, 1999, at the Argyle Lake Nursing Center in Colchester.

He was born April 22, 1904, in Browning Township, Schuyler County, to James Allen and Rose Ann (STAMBAUGH) SKILES.

He married Garnet CLARK on November 6, 1924, in Browning. She preceded him in death on Oct. 8, 1997.

He is survived by one daughter, Evangeline (Ray) ALLEN of Moorpark, Calif.; one grandson; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.

He became a Christian at age 15 in the Methodist Church in Browning. After having the flu in 1919, he developed rheumatic fever which damaged his heart so he was an invalid. He healed and was again able to help his father with the farm work as before. He began preaching at age 19 and continued to do so for the next 70 years.

He was ordained by the Assemblies of God, serving as pastor, evangelist, sectional presbyter, hospital chaplain, and nursing home chaplain. In Illinois he pastored churches in Alto Pass, Buckner, Grafton, Astoria, Rushville, West Point, and 13 years in the new church, which was established in Carthage in 1958. In Iowa, he pastored churches in Mount Ayr, Chariton, Conrad, Grinnell, and eight years in the church Garnet began in Ames in 1936.

He preached regular radio broadcasts for many years in Marshalltown, Iowa; and Carthage. He went into semi-retirement in Bowen in 1971, but he still preached or taught Sunday School. He continued his favorite pastimes of playing his electric Hawaiian guitar and raising his garden and flowers as long as he was able. He loved helping people and encouraging them.

Services were held Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, at the Astoria Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Steve ADAMSON and the Rev. Clifford PARRY officiating. Burial was in the Ridgeville Cemetery in Browning. Shawgo Memorial Home was in charge of arrangements.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2009