Obituary of Jerry Skibinski, Jr.
Gerard B. “Jerry” Skibinski, Jr.
Age 79, of Minooka, Illinois, passed from this life, peacefully at home, on Monday, November 6, 2023. He was born October 27, 1944 to Bernadette (Ciszewski) and Gerard Skibinski, Sr. and raised on the south side of Milwaukee. Jerry graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962 and then The University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. After college, he completed Officer Training School in Quantico, VA, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He earned his wings as pilot of the CH-46 Sea Knight and deployed to Vietnam, where he earned multiple campaign medals, 28 Air Medals, as well as the Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation with HMM-364 (Purple Foxes), the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (twice), and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After growing up in WI, Jerry lived in Pensacola, FL where he attended Flight School. In October 1968, he was stationed in Santa Ana, CA. Military moves took him to Okinawa, Japan and North Carolina. Then he exited active duty military service and returned to WI with his family, where they lived from 1972 until 1987. They lived briefly in Colorado. Since 1990, Jerry resided in Minooka.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patti Skibinski; father to: Mark (Deantha) Skibinski, Amy (Kyle) Quinnell, Nicole (Zach) West, Dana (Chris) Racana, and Eric (Kristin) Huckaba; proud Jaja to; Corsica, Vivian and Jaxon; Bryce; Ethan; Fiona and Valentina; Blake, Iliana and Cooper; sibling to; Tom (Elaine) Skibinski (US Navy), Elizabeth (the late Jerry) Bortman, Patty Skibinski, Mary Ellen (Tom) Radder, Stephanie (Jim, US Army, Ret.) Reardon, and Chris (Brenda) Skibinski; uncle to Todd, Zach, Rebecca, Alicia, Ian and Dani; and will be missed by many in his extended family, including those in his beloved Marine Corps. He is preceded in death by his parents, first spouse Camille, nephew Max, and son-in-law, Eric Das (US Air Force, KIA).
Jerry will be remembered for loving well and living life passionately. He loved his family, served our country, respected animals, and treasured nature. Wherever he called home, he became a recognizable smile, a loud laugh, and would help in any way he could.
Visitation for Jerry Skibinski will be Monday, December 11, 2023 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) in Joliet, where a visitation will be held from 9 am until a remembrance service at 11 a.m. Chaplain (Colonel) Jay West (US Army) will officiate. In honor of Jerry’s affiliation and admiration of the Purple Foxes, feel free to add a splash of purple to your wardrobe on Monday.
Interment with full Military Honors will take place at 2 pm. Monday afternoon at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. All wishing to attend the burial are asked to meet at the cemetery information center at 1:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make someone smile, pick up trash on your walk, adopt a pet, fly the flag, or donate to the Sierra Club in his honor.
For more information please call (815) 741-5500; or, visit his Memorial Tribute to share a favorite memory or leave a condolence at: www.fredcdames.com
