Obituary of James Eugene Skelley

On October 2, 2021, James Eugene Skelley, 94, passed away. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Seemer) Skelley, daughter Kathleen Margaret Skelley, grandson Matthew Patrick Skelley, brothers William, Jerome and Michael, sisters Kathleen Felix and Sheila Skelley. He is survived by his great-grandchildren Adeline, Oliver, Theodore and Bennett Helmus; his grandchildren Amanda (and Michael) Helmus and James Skelley; and children Terence (and Tina), Paul (and Jill) and Maureen Skelley; sisters Mary Ellen Ritter and Rita Billingsley; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. James was born in Roaring Branch, PA and graduated from Southside High School, Elmira, in 1945 and from State University of New York, Delhi in 1951. He proudly served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. James and Shirley were married on June 11, 1955 and celebrated 36 years of marriage prior to her death in 1992. He worked as a draftsman for Darrin & Armstrong and was a long-time resident of Plymouth, MI. His greatest joy was being a grandfather and great-grandfather. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Friday, October 8, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 9:15 a.m., followed by an 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira. A livestream of the Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). Interment, with committal prayers and military honors, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. James will be interred next to his wife. The family requests donations to the Chemung County Historical Society, 415 E. Water Street, Elmira, NY 14901, in lieu of flowers.