Obituary of Wilma M. Edwards Skinner

Wilma M. Edwards Skinner, formerly of 1370 Witherell Heights, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at the Pines Health & Rehab, following a lengthy illness. Wilma was born Nov. 7, 1921 in Whitesville and was a daughter of Herbert A. and Rose M. Church Edwards. On Aug. 31, 1943, in Illinois, she married her husband of almost 57 years, Ralph H. Skinner, who predeceased her on May 27, 2000. Wilma graduated from Greenwood Central School in 1938. She worked for Bell Aircraft during WWII and then following the war for General Electric. Wilma and her husband, Ralph, owned and operated the Lundberg Skinner Granite Company in Weston Mills for many years. They wintered in Florida for many years and where also instrumental in starting the Olean Four H Riding Club. She attended the Hinsdale United Methodist Church. She is a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary in both the Weston Mills Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Andover Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Tyler Chapter #97 in Portville, a member of "Rosie's Riveters" while working at Bell Aircraft, and the Cuba CBCD Radio Club. Wilma enjoyed horseback riding and family reunions, but her true enjoyment came from spending time with her grandchildren. Wilma is survived by three sons, Ralph A. (Deborah) Skinner of Olean, NY, Larry E. (Bertha) Skinner of Hinsdale; and Richard K. (Shelly) Skinner of Richburg; four foster children, Jean Finley (Pete) Peters of Mass., Marilyn Dumire of Virginia, Margarite James of NY, and Robert Flick of West Virginia; 13 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one brother, Carroll E. (Midge) Edwards of Bath; and many nieces & nephews. Along with her loving husband, Wilma was predeceased by four brothers, Ronald Edwards, Charles B. Edwards, Nathan Edwards, and Herbert H. Edwards; and five sisters, Joyce A. Edwards as an Infant, Iva Lou Trent, Velma Rhude, Luella VanSkiver, and Evelyn Hann. A Gathering will be held Sunday, May 25, 2014 in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street Olean, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, at which time a Memorial Service will be held. The Rev. Willis Webb will officiate. Burial will be at Chestnut Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hinsdale Fire Dept., #3832 Main Street, Hinsdale, New York, 14743 or to the Kinney Hose Company, #1300 Olean-Portville Road, Olean, New York 14760. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.