Catherine Martinelli Skasick

Catherine, nee Martinelli, Skasick, 95, formerly of Centralia, died on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, IL after an extended illness. She was born February 23, 1918 in Centralia, IL to Genoeffa Luigia (Louise), nee Beneventi, and Guiseppe (Joe) Martinelli, Italian immigrants who became naturalized citizens of the United States on January 19, 1921. Catherine married Lyle Eugene “Ski” Skasick on January 17, 1947 in Centralia, and together they shared 60 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on May 6, 2007. With a strong will, a spirit of determination, and occasional assistance from friends, neighbors, and family, she was able to remain in her home for 5-1/2 years after the death of her husband, before needing assisted living. She received excellent care for 7 months at Meridian Village. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Carol Skasick of Collinsville, IL; her grandson, Michael Skasick of Collinsville; her step-son and daughter-in-law, John and Janet Skasick of Severn, MD; her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Schoonover Martinelli; nieces, Joyce (Gene) Payne and Mary Warner of Centralia; nephew, Bob (Linda) Kell of Carlyle, IL; and grand-nieces and nephews, Jennifer and Joshua Freed, Jonathan Payne, Marcie (Kenneth) Warner-Clayton and Jordan Warner, Stacie (Gabriel) Warner-LeCoultre, Trevor (Rachel) and Mia Kell, Tara (Matt) and Grayson Woods. Catherine is also survived by step-grandsons, John (Kristin) Skasick of Ulm, MT; Brian (Kelly) Skasick of Laurel, MD, and Scott (Cindy) Skasick of Catonsville, MD; step-great-grandson, Shawn (Keri) Skasick of Dothan, AL; and step-great-granddaughter, Katelynn Skasick of Ulm, MT. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her siblings and their spouses, Angeline (Carl) Beck, Josephine (Scott) Kell, Anita (George) Thompson, Dante Martinelli, Gene (Ruth) Martinelli, and Norman Martinelli. She was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Charles Skasick and Lloyd Skasick, and her sister-in-law, Margaret Skasick Warnecke. Catherine was a graduate of Centralia Township High School (1936) and Brown’s Centralia Business College. She was employed by Hollywood Candy Co., and later as a secretary by Shell Oil Co., Star Service Co., Illinois Power Co., Turner Corporation, and Mt. Vernon City Schools. Being a giving person by nature, she enjoyed hosting parties and assisting others. She loved decorating and enjoyed setting an elegant table. In retirement, she and her husband spent several winters in Florida, before his health began to fail. She attended First United Methodist Church and Calumet Street Christian Church, was a Pink Lady (Vandalia and Salem), belonged to a Pinochle Club, and was member of Beta Sigma Phi-Nu Masters for 60+ years. Services for Catherine Skasick will be held at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, Centralia, IL, on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. John Willis officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Her family sincerely requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Calumet Street Christian Church, American Diabetes Association, or to the charity of donor’s choice and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, which is assisting the Skasick Family with arrangements. Online Condolences may be made at www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Catherine Martinelli Skasick

February 23, 1918 - July 20, 2013