Francis Edward "Dutch" Skahill, age 86, passed away on December 21 at his home in Cherry Valley, CA, while holding hands with his beloved wife, Marilyn.
Dutch was born in Iowa on September 25, 1933 to Thomas and Carmelita Skahill. The youngest of 8 children, his passing leaves his sister Bonnie Sturm as the last remaining sibling of the Iowa Skahill clan.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Dutch married his hometown sweetheart, Marilyn McGargill, on February 15, 1958 and moved away from the cold and muddy farm to his new home in sunny Southern California, where he marveled at the beauty of the foothills and snow-capped mountains, the vast and colorful sunsets, and the glorious sunrises accompanied by the joyful chorus of birds. He relished in the peace and stillness each morning brought because he knew it wouldn't last long with a house full of nine children: Ann, Vince, Joe, Pete, Marie, Pat, Tony, Mary, and Dominic, plus a constant stream of neighbors, friends, and cousins, who were always warmly welcomed into his home and at the his table.
Dutch engaged in a myriad of professions over the course of his life but primarily considered himself a born salesman. Whether selling cigarettes, pantyhose, toys, retail theft prevention systems, or peddling his hand-made clocks, planters, and crosses, he loved meeting and connecting with new people, especially if he could make them laugh with his silly jokes and self-deprecating humor.
Dutch will always be remembered by his twinkling blue eyes, his firm and sincere handshakes, his warmth, humor, laughter, and his loving devotion to his family. In his heyday, he loved hosting large family gatherings at Easter and Christmas, presiding over the bocce ball court, refereeing backyard ping-pong tournaments, giving gag gifts, making stiff screwdrivers, and playing and crooning "On Top of Old Smokey" on the family organ. His concern and generosity towards the underdog was one of his most admirable traits and he demonstrated his kindness by frequently bringing home "strays" to join the family for holiday meals. He and Marilyn welcomed a lonely elderly woman into their home and she was eventually "adopted" by the family as Grandma Kirby.
Dutch leaves behind his loving and faithful wife Marilyn, their nine awesome children, three cool sons-in-law, two spirited daughters-in-law, seventeen worldly grandchildren, and four adorable great- grandchildren, plus scores of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am preceded by a 9:00 am Rosary at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 1234 Palm Avenue, Beaumont, CA 92223. The Burial will take place at 12:15PM at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518. Reception and Luncheon to immediately follow at Marla's, 1310 E 6th St, Beaumont, CA 92223. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dutch's name to Students for Life, https://www.studentsforlife.org/