Dale Skelton

January 12, 1930 - December 6, 2017

Dale Skelton, age 87, a resident of Vienna, passed away Wednesday morning, December 6, 2017, at 5:21 AM at Southgate Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Metropolis, Illinois. Dale was born January 12, 1930 at Foreman, Illinois. He was the son of W. Horace and Nellie (Betts) Skelton. On November 26, 1955, Dale was united in marriage to Annette Brown in Anna, Illinois. She survives. Additionally, Dale is survived by: a sister – Hazel (her husband, Jim) Skelton Spencer of Yorkville; 2 nieces and 2 nephews, 4 great nieces and 6 great nephews, 2 great-great nieces, a great-great nephew, other relatives and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dale was a 1947 graduate of the Vienna High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He entered military service on August 7, 1952 and was honorably discharged on June 16, 1954. Dale received the National Defense Service Medal, the United National Service Medal, and the Korean Service Ribbon with 2 bronze service stars. Dale was employed at the Elgin State Hospital, the Anna State Hospital (Clyde Choate Mental Health Center) and retired from the Vienna Correctional Center. Dale was a faithful Christian. He and Annette were charter members of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna where Dale served as both a deacon and longtime member of the Building Committee. In his spare time, Dale enjoyed gardening, painting, carpentry, and raising beagles. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. A service honoring the life of Dale Skelton will be held Friday afternoon, December 8, 2017, at 2 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Tommy Gray will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Those attending the service are asked to gather at the funeral home at 1:45 PM Friday. Memorials may be made to the Fellowship Baptist Church (Building Fund), 890 Senior Avenue, Vienna, IL 62995. To share a memory of Dale or to leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.baileyfh.com