Ed Skidmore, age 69, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, November 26, 2016 leaving behind his wife Charlotte of 48 years, a son, Michael and a daughter, Lisa both of Cleveland. He passed at the Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland. He was very brave in the 20 month struggle with his cancer.
He was born on January 9, 1947 in Kenton, Ohio to the late James Kenneth and Martha (Lowery) Skidmore. He was preceded in death by his brother, Clifford Skidmore.
Ed grew up a Hardin County Farm boy, plowing the fields and working the ground alongside his dad. He was a 4-H member who showed livestock at the Hardin County Fairs. He was a Junior Fair Board member and enjoyed Future Farmers of America activities.
Sports played an important role for Ed while attending Hardin Northern High School. He ran both cross country and track. He played volleyball and was captain on his basketball team. After graduation in 1965 from Hardin Northern, he chose to attend The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Agriculture.
Ed taught 7th grade science at Upper Scioto Valley Middle School from 1969-1972. He was dedicated to helping children learn often using his free period to tutor students with reading difficulties. He also coached junior high track and basketball.
In 1972 Arvin Meritor/Rockwell International became his place of employment. There he was a machine operator using lathes, drills, grinders, prepared products for shipping and worked as a quality inspector. After 30 years Ed retired from Arvin Meritor in 2002.
Following this retirement, Ed being the hard-worker that he was continued to seek other employment. He worked at Benchmark National Corp-Bridgestone in Upper Sandusky from 2003-2005. He then worked at Ohio Northern University from 2005-2006 as a custodial janitor. He also completed training and became a certified nurse's aide and worked at Fox Run Nursing Home, Findlay.
Ed enjoyed many sports especially watching and attending Cleveland Cavaliers basketball and Ohio State Football games. Ed collected miniature John Deere tractors numbering over 500 and traveled to numerous tractor shows around Ohio. Ed was fond of two furry feline friends, Jasper and Jasmine that kept him entertained during his last months of life. After retirement Ed found pleasure in traveling, relaxing, and vacationing in Orlando, Florida with his family.
In addition to his wife, son and daughter, Ed is survived by his sister-in-law, Rita Skidmore of Bellefontaine; nephews: Eric (Cynthia) Wills of Independence, KY and Doug (Chandra Coleman) Wills of East Liberty; and niece, Bobby (Scott) Gill of Bellefontaine. He is also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Judy Worstein of Kansas, Ohio; a nephew, Dan Worstein of Findlay; a nieces Cindy (Adam) Shope of Grove City and Krista (Jason) Gibson of Trenton, Ohio. Several great nieces and nephews along with many cousins played an important role in Ed's life.
Family and friends can help celebrate his life by coming to visitation on Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday and/or attending the celebration of life service held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada with Rev. Kenneth Green officiating. Following the service it was his request to be cremated.
The family prefers that anyone wishing to make contributions in Ed's name be given to the Grace United Methodist Church, 200 N. Walnut Street, Dunkirk, Ohio 45836.
