Skelton Family

[*Sandra*]

John V Skelton born 1944 died 1999.
He moved to Missoula in 1974, graduating from the University of Montana with a bachelors
degree in social work in 1980. While in Missoula, he was instrumental in organizing, the first sentence review board in the city court and established the first "Take a Ride
Home" New Years Eve program, and was director of the Indian
Center. He divorced and returned to Great Falls in 1989.

He was an avid Montana historian and advocate for the poor
people, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.

Further information by PM

[*Sandra*]

This would be a son of John V Skelton - Richard who preceded him in death.
Richard Skelton
Nov. 28, 1981

Memorial service will be at 2 this afternoon in the
O'Conner Memorial Chapel for Richard D. Skelton, 39,
20? 8th St. N. Cremation has taken place. Skelton died
Wednesday of an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.

Born in Great Falls, Skelton has attended local schools.
He worked as a laborer on construction jobs in Alaska
and Montana.

Plus PM more detail

[*Sandra*]

Stanford Walter Skelton - the son of Van Joseph - Sophie Agnes
Alaskan Plane Collision Kills Former Area Resident, Son

Four Anchorage, Alaska men died March 16, 1968 in a mid-air collision between two light planes above Kalgin Island in Cook Inlet, about 100 miles SW of Anchorage.
Two victims of the air disaster have been identified as Stanford W. Skelton, 49, 4824 E. 20th Ave.,Anchorage, an outfitter and guide, and his son, Richard V. Skelton, 27, 4225 Spenard Rd., Anchorage.
The Skeltons had at first planned to fly in search for Mason LaLelle and two other Palmer fliers,missing since Feb 27, but apparently changed their plans and flew to the Kenai region for clams. Kalgin  Island near Polly Creek, a popular clam digging area, is heavily frequented by air traffic when tidal and weather conditions make clamming possible. There were reports form the accident scene that one of the planes was taking off, the other attempting to land, when the collision occurred.

Richard V. Skelton was born Aug. 25, 1940 in Great Falls. Will PM wife plus family

Sandford Skelton was born July 7, 1918, in Stanford, MT. Will PM his wife's details

His mother and twin brother and sister, Donald and Donna, flew to Anchorage on Sunday to attend the military funeral held Tuesday after noon. Both men were veterans.

[*Sandra*]

Amazed myself Eileen - thought I could find no more. Think I might be on next years Christmas Card List !!!

Sandford Walter Skelton born 1918 died 1968 Married Alice Rafter born 1919 Montana.
She is with her parents and only 1 month old on the 1920 census in Denver. Neighbours of the Skeltons !
Denton, Fergus, Montana.
Richard H Rafter 46 Canada. Manager could be Western Electric or something like that. Year of immigration 1895
Ethel L Rafter 28 Iowa - Mothers birth place Nebraska Father Canada
Rixon C Rafter 8 Montana
Wendell P Rafter 7 North Dakota
Ethel G Rafter 5
Alice J Rafter 1 month

In 1930 the family are exactly the same (but older) Richard is a farmer.

[*Sandra*]

Clara (wife of John D Skelton 1922) born 1926 died 10 July 1999. Cascade. Montana(Described as divorced)

John D Skelton 7 June 1921 died 8 Jan 2001 Cascade (This was the son of John Louis Skelton.

[*Sandra*]

Roy Frisk the son-in-law of Sanford Walter Skelton  _ Anchorage resident Ray Frisk, 65, died Feb. 2, 2004, of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at home.

A memorial will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary. His ashes will be scattered later at his favorite hunting area.

Mr. Frisk was born Jan. 19, 1939, in Afton, Wyo. The son of Ben and Artie Frisk He worked in the logging industry during his teens.

Mr. Frisk joined the military and came to Alaska in 1957. Upon his release from the military, he made Anchorage his home and married Nona Skelton in 1960.

Mr. Frisk worked in the construction industry as a Teamsters shop steward and was employed by Anchorage Sand and Gravel for 28 years before his medical retirement in 1993.

He coached youth hockey when his children were younger and in later years enjoyed watching his grandson,  play the game he loved so much. Mr. Frisk also enjoyed dancing, fishing, hunting and riding his four-wheeler with family and friends

PM with further details of sons and daughters

[woodlea]

Hi Dittori28
You continue to amaze me. Seems thanks to the snow that you have had time to find all this fantastic information.  Will take this old brain a while to decipher all the information you have found. You are not only on my Christmas card list but can be on top of my Christmas Tree next year.
Cheers & my very best regards.

[*Sandra*]

Still looking for a marriage for Lena to William Sweeney. Could be another transcription error !!

What do you think of this record ?  Lena appeared with parents on the 1920 census but never found her again - except all those mentions in the obits.
1930 Shelby, Toole, Montana
They have been married for 10 years - no children.
William C Sweney 36 born 1894 to William J & Mary A Sweeney
Vaitlesin Sweney 37 born Montana. Father born England and Mother Minnesota. Her age on the scan looks more like 28. Still would'nt quite tie with Lena in 1898 but not far out.

[*Sandra*]

IF the above was Lena/Vaitleain then this would be the death.

24 May 1983. Judith Basin. Cascade. (Widowed) Age 86 born about 1897
Social Secuirty Number:- 516188057