Howard Grant Skaggs

Howard Grant Skaggs, age 95 of Birmingham, passed away July 11, 2015 at his home in Birmingham, IA surrounded by his family.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday July 14, 2015 at Behner Funeral Home & Crematory in Fairfield, IA.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at Behner Funeral Home & Crematory with words of comfort by Wayne Nelson. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Birmingham City Park. Cards and memorials would be greatly appreciated.

Howard was born March, 2 1920 in Easton, Illinois to Crawford and Emma Peplow Skaggs. He married Irma Nelson on July 4, 1944 at First Methodist Church in Fairfield. They just celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Howard worked for 23 years at Rockwell Standard; he also helped build the Michigan/ Wisconsin pipeline. Howard was a farmer for all of his life; he enjoyed picking blackberries and being outdoors. He accompanied Irma, on all of her Avon trips. If Howard was not outside, he was inside watching his Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes games. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends. Howard is survived by his wife, Irma Skaggs; 4 children, Linda (Stanley) Davidson of Birmingham, IA, Marsha McDonald of Norwalk , IA, Janet (Dave) Manning of West Des Moines, IA, Randy (Melinda) Skaggs of Danville, IL; 10 Grandchildren, Anita Corry, Holly Boyd, Rusty Davidson, Kylie Whitecotton, Casey Manning, Alex Manning, Samantha Kitchen, Mitchell McDonald, Mariah Skaggs and Ravyn Skaggs; 12 Great-Grandchildren, Brianne Bartholomew, Cody Corry, Jacob Boyd, Lacey Boyd, Brittany Barclift, Brooke Barclift, Grace Davidson, Chloe Davidson, Nathan Davidson, Bode Whitecotton, Wynn Whitecotton and Avery Kitchen; 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, Keegan Bartholomew and Kinzley Bartholomew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Crawford and Emma Skaggs; one daughter, Sharon Diane Skaggs; 3 brothers, Lyle Skaggs, Bill Skaggs, Jim Skaggs; 3 sisters, Kate Pfeifer, Wilda Booth, Dora McWhirter; one sister at birth, Betty Darlene Skaggs; and one son-in- law Stanley Davidson.