Peter Raymond Skoner

SKONER – Peter Raymond “Homer,” 93, passed away peacefully in his home in Dunlo, PA on June 25, 2019. Born July 13, 1925 in Dunlo.

Preceded in death by parents Evan and Della (Kranjcec) Skoner; brothers Evan (Victoria Grimski), Louis (Mary Kovalich Soltis), Joseph “Ken,” and Daniel (Alice Zanchy); and sisters Rose and Dr. Martha “Babe.”

Survived by loving wife of 67 years Helen (Kovalich); children Barbara Kissell (Michael), Dr. David Skoner (Janet Hudak), Dr. Peter Skoner, Jr. (Diane Soohy), and Dr. John Skoner; grandchildren Jessica Bolton (John), Alison Troese (Phillip), Dr. Jonathan Skoner (fiancé Christina Conte), Amanda Sforza (Joseph), and Julianne Skoner; Brianne Leone (Stew) and Bradley Waters (girlfriend Toni Bocchino); and Kathleen Mehall (Jonas), Dr. Kelleen Harris (Matthew) and Dr. Matthew Skoner (fiancé Kelly DiMeo); great-grandchildren Noah and William Mehall, Tanner and Alivia Leone; Anthony, Zachary, Madison and Mackenzie Bolton, and Charlotte Troese; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Graduated 1943 from Adams Township High School and went directly to officer training school for the United States Navy Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Mount Saint Mary’s College, Franklin and Marshall College, Asbury Park, NJ, and Columbia University; commissioned an Ensign on March 8, 1945 at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York, NY as one of 1,170 graduates that day; served in World War II aboard the USS Calhoun County (LST-519) with a stop in Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba. Graduated 1950 with a BS in Mining Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Employed by Berwind-White Coal Company at Maryland No. 1 St. Michael Mine, U.S. Steel Corporation, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Bethlehem Mines Corporation, EADS Engineering Group, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Dunlo and later St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael, PA. Served as Adams Township Secretary, Forest Hills School Board Director, and Auditor for the Slovak American Citizen Club in Dunlo. Served on Adams Township Sewer Authority and Forest Hills Municipal Authority. Member of American Legion Post 573 in Llanfair, PA, Dunlo Rod and Gun Club, and Beaverdale Sportsmen Association. Pete was an avid Notre Dame football and Detroit Tigers baseball fan. He enjoyed working hard, practicing his faith, shopping with coupons, polka dancing to accordion music, going to the beach, and relaxing with family and friends.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Brian Warchola at St. Michael Catholic Church on Friday, July 5, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.

Receiving of friends the same day from 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. at Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home in South Fork, PA.

Committal Corpus Christi Cemetery, Dunlo.

Military graveside service by St. Michael American Legion, Post 551. Special thanks to Beverly, Lori, Maggie, Jamie, and other caregivers for their kindness and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Michael Catholic Church or the Saint Francis University School of STEAM at www.francis.edu/MakeAGift

A Memorial Mass will also be celebrated at noon Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Chapel on the campus of Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA.