Jeff Skelley

At 12:50 AM on July 29th, 2014, Jeff Skelley took God’s hand and together they climbed the Stairway to Heaven after a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma. In typical fashion, he was listening to that very Led Zeppelin tune as he took his final breaths surrounded by his family. A Hollywood script simply couldn’t have written a better finale.

Jeff was born August 9, 1959 in Connellsville, PA to Hilda (Schueder) Skelley and the late Wendell Skelley. He was the fifth of ten children. Jeff graduated from Coshocton High School and worked at AK Steel in Coshocton for 30 years before he retired. He married his wife, Lynn Skelley, five months after they met. They would have been married 25 years October 21st and 100 more if time on earth never ran out. In 2003, they bought and opened Skelley’s Pub, where they became friends with many beloved customers.

He was a proud steelworker by trade and carpenter by love. You could always find Jeff working on projects at his home with his wife, Lynn and children, Beau and Dusty. He was never happier than when he was passing on his skills to them when they were working together in the garage. He regularly put in a full day’s work building their dream home before leaving for his own job. His perseverance was beyond admirable and his love of life was infectious. He was a firm believer in putting your whole heart into everything you do no matter how small the task. He loved the Cleveland Indians, motorcycle rides, and spending time with friends and family.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Lynn; his mom, Hilda Skelley of Coshocton; his children, Dusty (Jeremy) Jenkins and Beau (Kellie) Bates, both of Charleston, SC, and Kristy (Jason) McCormick of Asheville, NC; his grandchildren, Jaxon and Mason Bates and 3 additional grandchildren; sisters, Monica, Julie, Rene, Andrea and Stephanie; his brothers, Wendell, Erich, Matthew, and Patrick; numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved niece, Toby Arden.

Cremation will be cared for through Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory. A Celebration of Jeff’s life was held July 31st at the family’s residence per Jeff’s request. This information was disclosed via social media.

Memorial contributions in Jeff’s memory may be directed to either Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 4466s or Tuscarawas County Humane Society, 6895 Dover Zoar Rd NE, Dover, OH 44622.

Special thanks to Community Hospice for their caring hearts and gentle hands in the most trying of times. Their help is forever appreciated more deeply than we can ever express.