Joseph Skehen

Joseph W. Skehen passed away on Dec. 24, 2012 from complications related to lymphoma.

He was born and raised in the Chicago area. Fol-lowing high school he joined the Army and served in Korea.

After completing his service, he married his wife, Debbie, and went on to school completing a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois. While in school, he held several jobs, most notably as a police officer. He also was elected alderman in Urbana, Ill.

His professional career was spent at institutions of higher learning, raising money through various means, ultimately in charitable estate planning. At his last professional affiliation with Oregon State University he planned and facilitated the acquisition of more than $100,000,000 in new planned gifts.

Retiring to Fountain Hills allowed him the freedom to become involved in the community.

He served as chair of the Chamber Ambassadors, as an officer on the Chamber Board, as president of the Senior Citizens Foundation, as president of the Republican Club, and he volunteered to help many friends in their efforts to win public office.

He also helped his wife in numerous ways, as spouses do, at the L. Alan Cruikshank River of Time Museum. In all his activities, his contributions were recognized in numerous awards including the Chamber Service Award, the Republican of the Year Award, and an appointment as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C.

His memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the AmVets; the Fountain Hills and Lower Verde River Valley Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the Library Association, the Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association, the Fountain Hills Theater and various other organizations throughout the Valley.

Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years and his sons, Michael from Albuquerque and Paul from Kansas City, Mo.

At his request, Joe was cremated and no memorial service was scheduled. In lieu of flowers, he would like to be remembered through a donation to the River of Time Museum, P.O. Box 17445, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269.