John Skibbe

It is with deep sadness the family of John Skibbe announce his death at age 67, on October 28, 2015 at his home in Milford, MI after a brave and optimistic battle with cancer. John was born to Harold and Jeannette Skibbe on Dec. 11, 1947, in Dowagiac, Mich.  He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1966, attended Lake Michigan College and graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  In 1974 he was hired by Ford Motor Co. as a design engineer in the Power Train Engineering Division in Dearborn.  On a short hiatus from Ford he resumed working with his parents at Skibbe Mfg. Co. in Sodus where he was instrumental in the design and fabrication of the Two Ton Bulk Spreader in the Skibbe Spreader line, for which he was granted a U.S. patent.  In 1976 he returned to his position at Ford and continued working there until his retirement in 2005. He married Elizabeth White in 1996. Together, they designed and did much of the building on their beautiful home in Milford, which featured Post and Beam construction, using submerged timber salvaged from the St. Lawrence Seaway. John was an avid collector of antique tractors and an enthusiastic follower of tractor and farm shows.  In retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife, riding his motorcycle with his H.O.G. friends and weekly breakfasts with close friends from Ford. He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth; step-son Doug (Sherry) Lovins; step-daughter Elizabeth Lovins (husband Mark Woolworth); step-grandchildren Tony, Cassie, Beth, Sean, Hope, and Robbie;  four step-great grandchildren; mother Jeannette Skibbe of Sodus; sister Jean (Whitney) Gee of Atlanta; sister Ruth (Albert) Hafer of Sodus; and seven nephews. In addition to a memorial service in Milford, there will be a funeral service at 1:00 on Monday, Nov. 2 at Heritage Chapel in Berrien Springs with Pastor Robert Duehlmeyer, Jr. officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 to 1:00 prior to the service.  Interment will follow the service at Eau Claire Caldwell Cemetery.