Virdell Skelton

A service to celebrate the life of Virdell Skelton, age 76 of Winona, will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Croley Funeral Home of Gladewater. Virdell passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at his home.

He was born in Henderson on September 23, 1941 to the late Roy Skelton and Lillie Nix. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War on search and rescue teams. He retired from the City of Yoakum, after 23 years serving as the EMS Director and Assistant Fire Chief, before returning to East Texas where he worked for the City of Gladewater as the Lake Warden for 8 years. Virdell was a people person with a servant’s heart for the betterment of his community. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, watching sports, especially Astros Baseball, and working outdoors building and fixing things. He was well loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Bonnie (Miller) Skelton of Winona; granddaughter, Marie Shutt of Irving; great-grandchildren, Isaac and Eli Shutt of Irving; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended families that he called his own: the Wilson, Crisp, Caballero, Lott, McGrew, Zander, and Rouse families.

He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Roy and Faye Skelton; mother and step-father, Lillie and Fred Rohde, Sr.; sons, Donny, Johnny and Paul Skelton; daughter, Sherri Zander; brothers, William and Earl Rohde; sister, Norma Rohde Merechka; and granddaughter, Tara Zander.