He was born in Princeton, Indiana on February 22, 1938 the only child of Doyle and Lura Skelton.
Athletics were an important part of his youth, playing both basketball and baseball for the Princeton High Tigers and then the DePauw University Tigers. These skills were later used to coach many youth sports teams as a young adult and then father.
He graduated from DePauw University in 1960 and was inducted into the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
A 35 year career with Western Electric took the family to Minneapolis, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Denver, San Francisco, and Naperville, IL. He retired as Director of Manufacturing Operations for AT&T Montgomery Works. Twenty five years of retirement were enjoyed in Bonita Springs, FL with noteworthy friends who became family.
Both during and after his tenure at AT&T, he served his communities through board memberships in The Salvation Army, the United Way, and DONKA of Wheaton, IL, a non-profit that provides computer training and job readiness services to persons with physical, visual and limited learning abilities.
Larry was a talented gardener, applying himself to his lawns and gardens with the same great love and care as his other interests and responsibilities.
Jane Mahan Skelton has been his adored wife of 61 years. They met in first grade in their hometown of Princeton, Indiana.
Larry is also survived by his four children: Suzanne Skelton Pulawski (Gregory), Matt (Vicki), Tim (Patsy), and Nancy Skelton Bielefeld (John). He was a devoted GrandDad to Brian, Emma, Clay, Grant, Mark, Kyle, David and Megan.
No services are planned and he will be celebrated privately with his immediate family. Memorial contributions to The Salvation Army, 6060 Castleway West Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250 (https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/indiana/ ) or the Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children, 3208 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46201 ( https://wheelermission.org/ ) are appreciated.
Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel, Indianapolis, Indiana assisting with arrangements. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.
