Helen Jean (Walker) Skelton

     Helen Jean "Mamaw" Skelton, 87,  was called to rest with her Lord and Heavenly Savior on Monday, Sept 26, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.
     Helen was born on May 24, 1935 in Vandergrift, PA to Harold R. and Helen M. Walker.  She married the love of her life, Donald, in Pennsylvania (who preceded her in death on February 17 of this year) and moved to Sandusky to raise their family.
     Helen's love of the outdoors started early with her involvement in Girl Scouts and continued well into her adult life.  That outdoor love transformed into lifelong adventures of traveling to most of our beautiful states, their parks and riverways.
     She was an avid backpacker which led her to open an outdoor store in Perkins Twp. in the early 1980's called "Pack and Paddle".  Her knowledge came first hand from hiking the Appalachian Trail and she continued to learn with many more hikes and camping trips.
     She was a member of the First Faith Community Church and a former longtime member of the First Baptist Church where she served in many capacities including music director, but especially loved singing in the choir.
     Helen worked for the Perkins School District for many years in various positions and retired from her final position in the high school library.  After retirement, she and Don spent the last 20 years wintering in Fort Myers Beach, FL where they were very active in the recreation department.
     While enjoying many outside activities, Helen's main love was her family and she loved to rally her chicks around her especially at the holidays.  She loved a full house of family and couldn't get enough of her grandchildren.
     Never one to sit still, she still rode her bike daily and practiced Tia Chi regularly.  She was called the "energizer bunny" by Don in their long 70 year marriage before he passed in February.
She participated and achieved success in the Senior Olympics and helped to coordinate the Senior Master Challenge in Erie County.  Her achievements helped to gain her a run with the Olympic Flame when it came through the United States.
     She will be greatly missed by many, but ESPECIALLY her loving family.
     Helen is survived by children, Karen (Glen) Graffice, Timothy (Melanie) Skelton, Bryan (Jodi) Skelton, all of Sandusky, Gail (Jay) Allison of Tierra Verde, FL; grandchildren, Zachary (Brittany) Graffice of Huron, Cody Graffice of Estero, FL, Kayla (Spencer) Hathaway of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Lindsay (Joseph) Murphy of Pinellas Park, FL, Tara Weber of Bellingham, WA, Nyle Graffice, Shelby Skelton, Sydney Skelton, Lee Skelton, and Joey Taylor all of Sandusky; great-grandchildren, Camden Hineline, Colin Graffice, Stratton and Caroline Hathaway, Emmett Murphy and Oaklee Skelton.
     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; sister, Margaret Andrews; brother, Leroy Walker; sister, Esther Taylor.
     Her family will receive friends on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 10::00 am until time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 am at First Faith Community Church, 225 E. Jefferson St., Sandusky.  Rev. John A. Apple officiating.
     In lieu of flowers, family suggests making contributions in Helen's name to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at appalachiantrail.org on the "In Memory of" tab or to First Faith Community Church, 225 E. Jefferson St, Sandusky, OH 44870.
     Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Helen's family at davidfkoch.com.  Arrangements entrusted to David F Koch Funeral & Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Ave, Sandusky.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Jean (Walker) Skelton, please visit our floral store.