Obituaries
William Michael “Mike” Skilling Jr., 40
January 01, 2020
On January 1, 2020, William Michael Skilling (Mike), 40, of Lititz, lost his fight with addiction after a long and brave battle against this horrific disease. Mike is survived by his mother Dianne Paula Skilling; his father William M. Skilling and wife Diane; his two sisters Denise M. Skilling, Kristi T. Hummer and her husband, Wayne; his daughter Fiona Mariana Skilling and stepchildren Charlie and Kylee Welsh; three nephews Calan, Aaron, and Walter and two nieces, Norah and Emalynn and eleven cousins. William is preceded in death by his niece, Lynnley Rose and grandparents Daniel Sr. and Anna Zelem and Robert and Mary Skilling.
Mike was born in Smithtown, NY and lived in Sayville, NY until moved to Lititz when he was in 4th grade. He was a graduate of Warwick High School and Kutztown University earning a BS Degree in Education with concentrations in Social Studies and Political Science. He taught at Sacred Heart School in Lancaster and various locations in Lancaster, Reading, and Harrisburg. Mike was a teacher who was loved by his students and co-workers. He loved kids and always worked hard to put his students first and treated each with genuine care, concern, and respect. He was most recently employed with Substitute Teacher Service at Harrisburg High School and also worked part time at IHOP, Harrisburg.
Mike had a generous, caring nature, living life with full force and a great deal of passion. Mike was loving, kind, and had a soft and gentle heart. He had many wonderful friends and family who loved him more than he knew. He touched so many lives with his compassionate, non-judgmental personality. He truly saw the best in everyone. Mike will be deeply missed.
MIke was an avid sports fan and passionately supported the NY Mets, Giants, and Knicks along with Penn State, and LSU. Dedicated and loyal, Mike was the NY Mets number one fan since he was 10 years old. He loved all sports, but Mets baseball was his favorite. He was always faithful to his teams no matter how good or bad they played.
Mike also loved to travel and visited most of the USA. He had plans of doing more traveling and visiting every state. Mike loved to read – Tolstoy and Steninbeck were his favorite authors. He was also an avid movie buff and spent many weekends at the theatre or at home watching movies, especially comedies. He had an amazing sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Mike also watched and loved every single season of Survivor. It was by far his favorite TV show.
His proudest accomplishment was his precious daughter Fiona Mariana. She was daddy’s girl and he loved her with a passion only a daddy could. He took great care of Fiona and gave her his total attention when he was with her – reading, playing, dancing and singing and he so loved to make her laugh! Their time together was too short but they enjoyed every precious moment and loved each other so very much.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 11:00 am St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz, PA. Guests will be received prior to the service starting at 10:00am. Memorial donations can be made to “The Ryan Brubaker Foundation” at 29 Ridge Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 or at www.rcbfund.org. To leave an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
May 26, 2020
Dianne and family-
I am so very sorry to hear about Mike. I watched the tribute video, which was just beautiful. I’m so happy that he found joy the past few years since I last saw all of you,
Deepest sympathies to everyone,
Susan Boedefeld
March 03, 2020
Dear Diane, you have my deepest sympathies on the passing of your son Mike. I just reread his obituary. My condolences to you and Mike’s family and friends.
Blessings,
Denny Hines
January 31, 2020
Dianne,
I was catching up on my unread Record Express issues and saw the news of Mike’s passing. Thinking of you and hoping your fond memories are helping you get through.
Barb Zercher
January 13, 2020
Dear Dianne,
We are thinking of you and hoping for a time when things are a little easier.
Our prayers and condolences,
Jamie and Scott Beyerle
January 11, 2020
My Condolence to the family taken to soon.
Bruce E Brown
January 10, 2020
Dear Dianne,
Lisa and I are saddened to hear about the loss of your son Mike. We are praying for you to have peace and strength during this time. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Jeff and Lisa Rosenberger
January 10, 2020
My heart is heavy for you. I can’t imagine the pain the death of a child brings. You and your entire family have my deepest sympathy. I will be with you in spirit.
Love you, Diane.
January 10, 2020
Diane, Kristi, Denise and the entire family,
The heavens are open for Mike to enter … he will be welcomed by many who know him. God speed Mike … peace be with you in your journey xoxo Roberta
January 10, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with you Diane. Your son Michael was a kind-hearted and loving young man. I will always remember those caring eyes !
Please, please know that he is now and forever in Our Lord’s loving arms! He is finally HOME and at PEACE.
Judith G. Hudelson
January 10, 2020
Dear Dianne, I am so sorry for your loss. I ask God’s blessing on you and your family. May you find the courage and strength to move forward in peace. May the outpouring of sympathy, the kind acts of friends and strangers, and the comfort in knowing that your loss is felt by many, help you through this difficult time.
Karen Graver
January 10, 2020
Diane,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry.
Dale Dodds
January 10, 2020
Dianne & Family-
I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was kind, witty, smart and loving. I had the amazing opportunity to watch his love for you and your love for him, and it will forever be a treasure. You are a wonderful model of how a parent should love a child. Thank you for letting us know him. Guard your heart with the good memories.
Much love,
The Calender Family
January 10, 2020
To the entire Skilling family:
What a beautiful tribute. I want to offer my deepest condolences for this loss. I did not know Mike well, but on the few ocassions I interacted with him, I was touched by his good humor and affable personality. I love you all, and my heart goes out to you.
Greg Couturier
January 10, 2020
Find comfort in knowing Micheal has gone home to be under God’s care and love. He was and amazing person who will be missed. May your memories bring happiness and your prayers bring you peace and comfort knowing his struggle has ended. I love you.
kateryna zelem spalma
January 09, 2020
It’s been a struggle but through it the kind gentle soul of Mike prevailed. He needed peace our God is loving and forgiving and through his Grace Mike is also a Saint in heaven
Kathy
January 09, 2020
Dear Dianne and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace in the many memories that you have of Michael
Nina Brown
January 09, 2020
I am a distant freind to the family, but only because of actual physical mileage. I know, first hand, the struggle that this dear family has been going through. There are no words that can express my sincere condolances or anything that will help ease any of the pain that this family is feeling. Both Cheryl and I (Joseph) Rindosh will pray that God gives this famly strength to get them through this difficult time until we all see William again in Heaven.
Joseph and Cheryl Rindosh
January 08, 2020
My deepest condolences to all of the Skilling family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Michele Witmyer
January 08, 2020
To Kara and Family,
So very sorry for the loss of your cousin. My prayers go out to you and the entire family.
Christopher Scimone
January 08, 2020
Dear Dianne, Kristi, and Denise, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We Know you loved Michael and will miss him terribly. We will be praying for you all. June and Bob Boyle
January 08, 2020
It is with sadness that we are keeping your family in our prayers! May you all find peace! God Bless you all! Cherish all the wonderful memories! Judy and David Morrison
January 08, 2020
Dear Dianne and the Skilling family, my heart is broken to hear about your loss, and you are all in my prayers as you walk this grief journey.
Sharon Wilson
January 08, 2020
Dear Skilling family, I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you all, and I will keep you and Mike in my prayers. Peace to you, Joan Bohan
January 08, 2020
My heart breaks for Mike’s family, I still can’t believe it. He was such a fun character in Bonner Hall at Kutztown- I lived just down the hall. I’ll never forget how he would say my name with his funny “Lititz accent”. My deepest sympathy for your loss. May he Rest In Peace.
Ashling Smith Bauer
January 08, 2020
To the family of Mike,
Please accept my most sincere condolences. I do not know Mike but have experienced your loss of my son. Please know sharing will help you and hopefully others. Pathways Center for Grief and loss have very helpful programs and a neverending library. God be with you and your family!
Peace,
Betsy and Ron Eshleman
January 08, 2020
I worked with Will and am recovering drug addict myself. I enjoyed him and all his quirks. He and I had many conversations and I tried to encourage a healthy, sober life. I am deeply sorry for his family’s loss. Another gentle soul gone too soon because of this baffling, deadly disease.
Kelly McCormack
January 07, 2020
Dianne and family, Dianne you know how much I loved when Mike stopped in the office, he always had a hug and a great big smile. I am so sorry he is n longer with us, but always remember he was a beautiful person with a kind word for everyone! Love Shirley and Flick❤️🤪🙏
January 07, 2020
Dianne and family, Dianne I don’t need to tell you how much I loved when Mike came into the office, always had a hug for me and a great bug smile! I am so sorry that he is no longer with us but remember what a beautiful person he was! Shirley and Flick❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏
January 07, 2020
I’m so sorry to hear this. I have nothing but awesome memories with all of us at college. RIP.
Charli Daniel
January 07, 2020
Dianne, I am so sorry to hear about your wonderful son. This is heartbreaking. I am sending you my thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences to you and your family. Laura Knowles
January 07, 2020
Hugs to everyone. He was a sweet and gentle soul.
Amy Grant
- Visitation
- Saturday, January 11, 2020
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. James Catholic Church
- 505 Woodcrest Ave.
- Lititz, Pennsylvania 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Saturday, January 11, 2020
- 11:00 AM
- St. James Catholic Church
- 505 Woodcrest Ave.
- Lititz, Pennsylvania 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
