Kenneth Duane Skelton

BATAVIA - Kenneth Duane Skelton, 85 of Batavia, formerly of Oakfield and Chiefland, Fla., passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia surrounded by family. Ken was born in Batavia on March 4, 1934, a son of the late Robert E. and Clara V. (Squires) Skelton. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Virginia (Jennings), children Raymond (Lisa) of Okemos, Michigan, Ronald (Carolyn) of Chiefland, Florida, Leanne (Marlene Betts) of Manassas, Virginia, Lynette (Paul Figlow) of Batavia, Jeffrey (Teresa) of Millstone Township, New Jersey, and Paul of Cranford, New Jersey; twelve grandchildren (Mackenzie Skelton, Yvonne and Jennifer Skelton, Andrew, Erica, and Stephanie Esten, Kenneth, Timothy, Christopher and Ella Skelton, and Joshua and Daniel Skelton); a great-grandson (Liam Esten); and, dozens of nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by daughter-in-law, Angela of Cranford, New Jersey, brothers James and Edward, and sister Barbara Coughlin. Ken was raised in East Oakfield, graduating from Oakfield High School in 1952; he was a proud member and president of the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter.  After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1953 to 1956, followed by several years in the U.S. Army Reserves and was Honorably Discharged in 1961.  He held the U.S. Flag in the highest regard.  Married in 1957, he and Virginia settled in the Town of Batavia to raise their children.  Ken worked at My-T-Acres in Batavia as a field-man and electrician before retiring after 25 years.  He loved farming, his coworkers and fellow farmers.  The family was often piled into the station wagon on a Sunday afternoon to drive by fields to check a crops’ progress.  In 1990, he and Virginia moved to Chiefland, Florida where he un-retired to work as a consultant to Levy County Dairy.  Retiring a second time in the early 2000’s, they lived in Chiefland for nearly 30 years before moving back to Batavia earlier this year. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, (July 8, 2019) at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home. 11 Maple Ave. in Oakfield, where Ken's Funeral Service will immediately follow.  Private burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Attica. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Ken’s name to the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, 68 N. Pearl St., Oakfield, NY 14125; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 2805 Wehrle Dr. Ste. 6, Williamsville, NY 14221-7380.