Michael Skittle Jr.
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Michael “Mike” Skittle Jr., 91, of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 6, 2018.
He was born July 6, 1926, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Michael Skittle Sr. and Anna Bobic Skittle.
On October 28, 1950, he married Ann Gontz, who recently passed away December 18, 2017.
Mr. Skittle was a proud World War II veteran, having served as a 3rd class petty officer in the U.S. Navy’s Construction Battalion, Seabees. He participated at age 18 in the Battle of Okinawa, the last and one of the most intense battles of the World War II Pacific Theater. During the engagement, he was a truck driver, delivering supplies and building materials for the construction of the Yontan and Kadena airstrips and transporting both American soldiers and Japanese POWs. He witnessed Kamikaze attacks, saw the Bockscar, the plane that dropped the second atomic bomb in Nagasaki, and watched harbored U.S. warships light up the night sky in celebration when Japan surrendered. He was a lifelong student of World War II Pacific Theater history and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and Houston American Legion.
He lived his life with the Seabee “Can Do” attitude, approaching work and personal life with vigor and industriousness. He started his civilian career as a coal miner working with his father at Westland Mine. He then joined Donaldson Supply Company as a diesel truck mechanic and professional truck driver.
Mr. Skittle met his wife, Ann, at a polka party at the SNPJ Hall in Strabane, and spent the next 67 years dancing around the kitchen and at polka parties to their favorite Slovenian polkas.
He was a lifelong member of SNPJ Lodge 138. His home was always a source a pride, as he built the house from the foundation to roof. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His hobbies included buying, refurbishing and selling vehicles (56 in all), remodeling houses, reading under his favorite maple tree, camping and traveling to historical sites.
At the request of the deceased, visitation, services and interment are private.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120. To leave or view condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.