Photo courtesy of Jagers and Sons Funeral Home
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Will be keeping you all in my prayers. Big hug Kathy.
Dave & Janet Lonas
September 21, 2025 | Pomeroy, OH | Friend
Deepest Sympathy sent! Such a kind loving man. (big hug Kathy)
Toni Smith (Watt)
September 21, 2025 | Wellston, OH
Sorry for your lose .Don was a good mail man My mom and dad use to deliver New s paper and he delivered there mail.
Barbara Sue Hess Stoll
September 20, 2025 | Hamilton, OH | Friend
We are very sorry for your loss-great guy!
Pat and Dave Vogt
September 20, 2025 | Logan, OH | Friend
In just the few days I was privileged to meet and talk with Uncle Don he touched my heart. I will always be grateful to have met him and will never forget his beautiful spirit.
Kristy Mulvaney
September 20, 2025 | Houston, TX | Friend
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Donald O. Skinner, give you peace, comfort and strength
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten...
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of .
US Army Veteran, Donald...
Cheryl J Skinner Tri-State Military Veterans Museum
September 20, 2025 | Belmont, OH
Don skinner was a most helpful, joyful postman friend when our family lived in University Heights. His family also meant much to us as delightful neighbors. I send my appreciation and sympathy to his wonderful family. Mary Ellen Borchert
Mary Ellen Borchert
September 20, 2025
Uncle Donny was a wonderful man, reminding me so much of my Father Jerry! I know my Dad welcomed him into heaven, as did all his brothers and sister, and his Mom & Dad! While I rejoice in this, we will nevertheless miss all of them dearly.
John J. Skinner, Jr.
September 19, 2025 | River Edge, NJ | Family
One of the finest people I have ever known!
John Yanity
September 19, 2025 | Athens, OH | Friend
Donald O. Skinner, age 96 of Athens died peacefully in his home September 9, 2025. He was born in Savannah, Georgia the third child of Dr. Homer Lucas Skinner and Nina Osborn Skinner.
Don’s father served in the US Public Health Service which required several relocations for the family. Don spent his early school years in Baltimore, MD and graduated from St. Peter’s Catholic High School in Staten Island, NY.
Don came to Athens, following his father’s, older brother’s and sister’s footsteps, in 1947 to attend Ohio University. He earned a varsity letter in tennis, was a member of Army ROTC and graduated with a degree in physical education. He was most fortunate to meet fellow classmate Therese Lavelle. They married September 22,1951. A week after the marriage, Don entered the army and was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA.
He was a Second Lieutenant in the Second Division, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd platoon leader during the Korean War. In January 1953, he received his First Lieutenant silver bars. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as the Bronze Star.
Don enjoyed his work as a rural mail carrier and retired from the Athens Post Office in 1984. He was on the board and a founding member of the Le-ax Water District. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church and a Knights of Columbus member. He was a board member for the St. Paul Catholic School where his children attended, except his youngest son, as the school had closed.
Don’s greatest joy in life was raising seven children on the Lavelle family farm that he and Therese purchased in 1965. Don went from “city mouse” to “country mouse”, from knowledge he had learned from his father-in-law, mending fences, cleaning cisterns, horse drawn plowing and care of a large garden. He and Therese spent many summers canning and freezing the harvest.
He loved watching his children become parents and every grandchild and great-grandchild brought special happiness.
Don is survived by six children: Betty (Tim) Sexton of Athens, Donald Jr. (Cheryl) Skinner of Athens, Kathy Skinner of Hobe Sound, Florida, Jane (Greg) Leach of Grove City, David (Bridget) Skinner of Bidwell, and Doug (Stacy) Skinner of Shade, eighteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law Rosalie Skinner of Port St. Lucie, Florida, a brother-in-law Dr. Robert Trautman of Memphis, Tennessee and a sister-in-law Mary June Lavelle of Starkville, Mississippi.
Besides his wife and parents he is preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Debbie Skinner, and infant grandson Kaelan Skinner, brothers Dr. Homer Skinner, Dr. Robert Skinner, Jerry Skinner and sister Betty Trautman.
The Funeral Mass will be Saturday November 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 38 N. College St., Athens, Ohio. Prior to the funeral, there will be a Visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at the church.
Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory or note of condolence on the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Read More
