Thomas W. Skeen

Thomas W. Skeen, 79, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at the Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine. He was born in Lakeview, Ohio, on June 30, 1929 to the late Doyle Skeen and Alberta (Cavinder) Newkirk.

On May 23, 1953, in Bellefontaine, he married Carol (Fridley) Skeen, and she survives along with a daughter, Deborah (Doug) Robert of Kenton; a brother, Robert (Mary) Newkirk of Bellefontaine; 2 grandchildren, Jennifer (Dwight) Salyer of Bellefontaine and Megan (Paul) Defibaugh of Kenton; and 5 great grandchildren, Ian, Beau, Connor, Caitlin and Brooke; several nieces and nephews; and his schnauzer and little buddy, Jigger.

He was preceded in death by his step-father, Charles Newkirk, who raised him; a son, Charles Thomas Skeen; a half brother and a half-sister, Charles �Fred� Newkirk and Betty Lou Newkirk; and 2 step brothers.

Tom retired in 1995, after 40 years of service from the Bellefontaine Examiner, where he worked in the composing room as a foreman. A 1948 Bellefontaine High School graduate, he was a Korean Veteran serving in the U.S. Army.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bellefontaine for 50 years; a member of the Bellefontaine Masonic Lodge #209; a life member of the Bellefontaine B.P.O.E. #132 and served as a former trustee and treasurer; a life member of the American Legion Post #173 and a member of the Eagles #2166. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden and spending time with his family.

Gene Marine and Pastor Edwin Beale will conduct the funeral service at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where calling hours are Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. with an Elks Memorial Ritual beginning at 7:45 P.M. Burial will be in the Bellefontaine Cemetery with a Veterans service by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association  1313 West Dorothy Lane  Kettering, OH 45409.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.eichholtfuneralhome.com