James Edward Skibbe (91) of Lake Mary, Florida, died on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Green Tree Assisted Living in Orlando, Florida, after a long illness. He was born on March 17, 1924, in Michigan City, Indiana. He attended Elston High School in Michigan City where he played basketball. After high school, Mr. Skibbe served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. After his war service, James attended Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) where he received a bachelor of education degree. While attending college, he met Joan Grace Heiermann of South Bend, Indiana. They wed on January 20, 1951. Mr. and Mrs. Skibbe later moved to Bloomington, Indiana, with their young first-born son, Jeffrey, where James obtained a master’s degree in education at Indiana University. Mr. Skibbe taught grade school in the Benton Harbor, Michigan, area where sons Joel Skibbe and Jay Skibbe were born. In 1961, Mr. Skibbe took a position as a sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in LaPorte, Indiana, and later taught physical education in the LaPorte school system. He coached and refereed elementary school sports throughout his teaching career. He was an avid sports fan all his life and encouraged his three sons to play sports. Two of his sons, Joel and Jay, excelled in basketball. Devoted to his family, James was a member of the LaPorte First United Methodist Church, enjoyed playing golf, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in LaPorte, Indiana. In 1994, Mr. and Mrs. Skibbe moved to Lake Mary, Florida. James was preceded in death by his father, James Otto Skibbe, his mother Leila Amanda Skibbe, his wife Joan, and his second son, Joel, whose death occurred on March 27. James Skibbe is survived by his eldest son, Jeffrey (Joplin, Missouri), youngest son, Jay Edward Skibbe, daughter-in-law Mary Ann Skibbe, granddaughters Janelle Catherine and Jenna Grace, and grandson J.D. Skibbe (all of Lake Mary, Florida). Final resting place will be in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, Michigan, where he will be interred with his wife, Joan, near other deceased members of the Skibbe family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18