Sept. 4, 1932 Aug. 9, 2014

Neal Robert Skillings, 81, died Aug. 9, 2014, at home in Wallowa surrounded with the love and presence of his family.

Neal was born Sept. 4, 1932, in the Wallowa River Canyon, the fifth of 10 children born to Amos (Benny) and Cora (Boyd) Skillings. He spent most of his younger years on Smith Mountain, attending school in Lower Valley and Wallowa. He graduated from Boise Junior College in 1967.

He proudly served his country in the Korean War.

In June 1956 he married Joyce Hough in Wallowa. They had celebrated their 50th Anniversary before her passing in March 2007. They had three children Benny, Dawna and JoAnne. During that time he worked for Mt. Emily Lumber Co. in La Grande and the Hoff Lumber Co. in Horse Shoe Bend, Idaho. Back in La Grande he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad on the B&B gang, and when they returned to Wallowa he worked for JI Morgan and other logging operations as a mechanic.

He was a member of the NRA, American Legion, the La Grande Eagles and the Wallowa Gun Club.

He loved his family and friends along with hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.

He is survived by his children, Benny and Karen Skillings of Summerville and Dawna and Cody Miller and Ava JoAnne Skillings of Wallowa, along with grandchildren Doug and Sarah Skillings, Steven and Lacie Skillings and Megan Collins and significant other Aaron Speegle; three great-grandchildren Brylie, Dylan, and Kendall; step-grandchildren Lonnie and Heather Miller (Elisia) and Darcy and Greg Blackman (Brandy and GT); brothers Vern, Johnny, and Kenneth Skillings, and sister Carolyn Pfeaster, all of Wallowa; along with tons of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joyce, and siblings Mina Shuman, Ray Skillings, Winifred English, Darrell Skillings and Myrna Sabey.

Memorial services and potluck will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Wallowa Senior Center at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa Senior Center or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.