Esther Lillian Skeels

Esther Lillian King Skeels Born April 24, 1920 Died June 18, 2010 Age 90 Born in Carlton, Oregon one of eight children to parents Robert Everett King and Eva Yount King. Married Verl Merlin Skeels Dec. 17, 1937 in Carlton, Oregon. They Lived in Lebanon, Carlton, Rose Lodge, PeeDee and Independence before moving to Winchester in 1952. She is survived by one brother, Roland King of Newport, Oregon; children: Fred V. Skeels and his wife Patsy, Lakeside, Oregon; Kathleen Stubbert and husband Loren, Pleasant Hill, Oregon; nine grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by daughter Karen Pinard in 2007. Esther was discovered by her husband, Verl, as he watched her play basketball in junior high. She married him at age 17. Esther cooked in logging camps in her early years, later became a full time homemaker, and bookkeeper for her husband's logging business. She found enjoyment in cooking for her family and guests, and preserving summer produce. Her children recall that they never lacked for food on the table or a clean and orderly home. She was active at the First Conservative Baptist church in Roseburg as a deaconess, organizing wedding receptions and other activities. After her children were grown she gave hours to volunteer service at Umpqua Nursing Home. She loved to dance the Charleston, make popcorn balls for Christmas and Halloween, watch old movies, sing along to old songs, and cook for the family. Family history research shows that among Esther's ancestors are a Revolutionary War patriot, "Soldier George" Yount and, farther back, Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland.
Esther was a hard worker. She will be buried with her sleeves rolled up, because that is the way she approached lifewith her sleeves rolled up and ready to tackle whatever chores were necessary to "keep on top of things."
Visitation will be at Wilson's Chapel of the Roses Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Graveside services will follow, June 26, 2010 at 1:30 p.m at Roseburg Memorial Gardens. Anyone who knew Esther and would like to attend is welcome.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Callaham Court for their kind, loving care extended to Esther during her last days. We couldn't have asked for more.