Correna “Laura Jean” Skelton, 84, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on Thursday, December 5, 2019, with her husband John Skelton, her sister Shirley Fisk, and niece Joyce Garner by her side.
Correna known as “Laura Jean” to many was born to the late Bert and Retha Henson, on August 6, 1935, in Orchardville, Illinois. Correna graduated from Wayne City High School in 1952 and was First Chair Trombone player in the school band and a proud Wayne City Indian.
Correna married the love of her life after seven dates on May 27, 1956. After John and Correna married, they lived together in California, Maryland, Missouri, and Texas during John’s military career before relocating to Orchardville, Illinois in November of 1996.
Correna is survived by her husband John of sixty-three years; her three children and their spouses Tonya M. Skelton and Larry A. Kimbrough of Houston, Texas; Jackie L. Bennaman and Kenneth J. Bennaman of Arnold, Maryland, and John Eric Skelton and Marina Nalli-Skelton of Hanover, Maryland.
Correna is survived by five grandchildren, Dr. Madison L. Skelton-Phillips, twenty-seven years old, Kory M. Skelton, twenty-five years old of Phoenix, Arizona, Jacob M. Bennaman, eighteen years old of Arnold, Maryland, Adriane J. Skelton, fourteen years old and Luke A. Skelton, twelve years old of Hanover, Maryland.
Correna is survived by her brother Nyhl Henson, sister Shirley Fisk, niece Joyce Garner, and nephew Jimmy Knauss.
She is survived by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many, many friends.
Correna was preceded in death by her daughter, Rhonda Lynn Skelton, parents Bert and Retha Henson, brother Olen Henson, sisters Marie Fry, Melba Knauss, and Rochelle Crowder.
Correna was an accomplished pianist and singer performing at church, weddings, and many social events for most of her life. Correna passed her love and appreciation of music to her children and grandchildren. Mom was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.
Correna was a lifelong member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now known as The Community of Christ Church. Correna was ordained to Office of Teacher in Austin, Texas then ordained to Office of Priest in Orchardville, Illinois.
Visitation is from 5pm – 7pm Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home in Cisne, Illinois. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 10:30am at the Poplar Creek Community of Christ Church in Orchardville, Illinois with Evangelist John Etcheson officiating. Followed by the burial at Poplar Creek Cemetery in Orchardville, Illinois with Pastor Bill “Judd” McFarland of Montgomery, Alabama officiating.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com