Leo Earl Skinner

Memorial service for Leo Skinner will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ernie Bishop officiating. Inurnment to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by American Legion Honor Guard.Leo Earl Skinner passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 15, 2016 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was born in Missaukee County, Michigan on June 16, 1922 to W. Earl and L. Marie (Boulton) Skinner. He was the oldest of seven children. Leo graduated from high school in Harrison, MI in 1940. He was already working in the oil fields before graduation, building roads using his own trucks and dragline equipment. He married L. Lucille Bailey on June 7, 1942. To this union were born three children, daughter Sandra, and sons, Bill and John.Leo enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942 and was sent to India and Burma where he also built roads and runways and worked in the motor pool. After being discharged after the war, he worked for the State of Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources for a few years. He then bought a dairy farm, going to school on the G.I. Bill, studying Ag and Business. Leo then entered the retail gas and oil business in Houghton Lake and Gladwin for many years. Upon selling out in 1968, he became an over-the-road truck driver and covered many, many miles. Leo and Lucille moved to Gillette, WY in 1974 and worked at many jobs. He and his sons built houses, he was a welder on the Wyodak Power Plant expansion, and also was an equipment operator in the oil fields in Gillette and surrounding states. After retiring from all that, he went to work hauling camper trailers from the factory in Casper to where they needed to be for resale. That led to driving for the rental car business, car dealers, and even some RV dealers. He did this until he turned 90. Truly his only hobby was driving. He was the most happiest when he was on the road and had somewhere to go. Leo is survived by his daughter; Sandra Jossens of Gillette, son; Bill Skinner of Gillette, and son; John (Teresa) Skinner of Sheridan, WY, brothers; Wesley Skinner of Mt. Pleasant, MI and William Skinner of Mason, MI, sister; Sharon Smith of Lakewood Ranch, FL. Seven grandchildren; Donnie and Randy Jossens of Gillette, WY, Eric Skinner of Dillon, CO, Blaine (Lisa) Geer of Gillette, WY Tracy Geer of Santa Fe, NM, and J.B. (Sarah) Skinner of Sheridan, WY. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren; Joey, Karlie, and Lainey Geer of Gillette, WY, Liliana and Adriana Acott of Santa Fe, NM, Lucy, Nora and Stella Skinner of Sheridan, WY and one great-great granddaughter; Emily Geer of Gillette, WY. He is preceded in death by his parents, his step-father; Daniel Czyzewski, his wife of 64 years, Lucille, brothers; Eugene and Max, sister; Laura and his son-in-law; Charlie Jossens. The family requests that memorials be donated to a charity of your choice in Leo's name. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may be expressed online at www.gillettememorialchapel.com Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716