Joann [Abshier] Skillern
October 25, 1942 ~ February 12, 2012

Ms. Joan Skillern, Kearney, Missouri passed away on February 12, 2012 at Kansas University Medical Center. She was 69 years old.

Ms. Skillern was the daughter of the late Joseph Grant Abshier, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth [Wagner] Abshier.

As a young girl, her family moved from Oklahoma to California, where she met her husband. On February 15, 1963, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Hoyt Skillern. Together, they raised their three children, Grant, David, and Lisa.

In 1989, they made their way back to Oklahoma where they remained until they moved to Kearney in 2003. Joan was a devout member of Northland Cathedral and truly enjoyed attending the Women's Bible Study.

After her children were raised, she loved being able to spend time gardening and tending her flowers and plants. Joan loved cooking and always looked forward to hosting family dinners. Over the years, she became an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sharing her skills. Of all her passions, shopping was her favorite.

She spent many afternoons with her husband traveling to small towns and searching for treasures in antique stores.

Joan cherished her grandchildren and loved to brag that she had eleven! She delighted in having Haeleigh and Haeden over in the afternoons for tea and chocolate.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Martha J. Hicks.

She leaves behind many family members to cherish her memory including her husband, Hoyt Skillern of the home; children, Willard G. Skillern & wife, Karen of Bellingham, WA, David M. Skillern & fiance', Kathy White of Kearney, MO, Lisa G. Hobbs & husband, Scott [Joan's favorite son-in law] of Kearney, MO; brother, Timothy J. Abshier & wife, Judy of Waxahachie, TX; grandchildren, Michelle Lynn Skillern, Kimberly Lean Skillern, Danielle Lane Skillern, Andrew Grant Skillern, Bethanie Lace Skillern, Nicholas James Skillern, Haeleigh Morganne Hobbs, Jordan Lee Skillern, Taylor Nicole Skillern, Haeden William Hobbs, Hope Suzanne Skillern; and one great-grandchild, Phoenix Joshua Malouf, and one on the way.

Services were held on Sunday afternoon February 19, 2012, at Lifepoint Church in Stratford at 2 PM. Burial follows at Corley Cemetery.