Michael Skinner

Delta Township, Michigan The Honorable Michael F. Skinner went to be with the Lord on February 21, 2010 after a long struggle with cancer. He was born October 21, 1951 in Cadillac, Michigan but has lived in Lansing since 1981. He is survived by his wife Gwendolyn Skinner, son Ben Millermon-Skinner, son David Skinner, and daughter Kristin Skinner. His parents Elaine and Frederick Skinner preceded him in death. Judge Skinner graduated from Cooley Law School in 1984. He was in private practice from 1984 to 1990. He then joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, serving as Assistant General Counsel for over ten years. In 2000, he was elected Eaton County Probate Judge, where he served until his death. Governor John Engler appointed him to the Crime Compensation Commission in 2000. He was a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club since 1986, and received Rotary?s Paul Harris Award. He served on the board of Child & Family Services, Inc., and taught four terms as an adjunct professor of law at Michigan Sate University Law School. He wrote over twenty scholarly legal articles of which all have been published; served as President of the Southwest Michigan Probate Judges Association; and has been listed in the Who?s Who in American Law since 1994. In 2001, he was named Boss of the year by the Lansing Legal Support Professionals. He was a strong supporter of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) organization and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council in Eaton County. In 2007, he was named Jurist of the Year by Michigan CASA. He enjoyed flying, golfing, motorcycling, and spending time with his wife. He also loved helping people in his position as a probate and family court judge. Visitation is from 2-4, 6-8 P.M. Friday in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 27th, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul?s Episcopal Church, 219 W. Ottawa, Lansing. Parking will be made available in the ramp and lunch will be served afterward. Contribution may be made to CASA in memory of Judge Skinner. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.