John William "Papa John" Skinner, 78, died May 10, 2011 at Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas. He was born October 1, 1932 at Baxter, Missouri, the son of Wesley Alexander and Thelma Irene (Reinecke) Skinner. A lifetime Great Bend area resident, Mr. Skinner operated Skinner Appliances. He was a United States Air Force veteran during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Skinner was faithful in his belief to Jesus. Survivors include two sons: John C. Skinner and wife Renee, Great Bend; and Daniel I. Skinner, Burdett, Kansas; two daughters: Shelly Penny and husband Steve, Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Amy Schmitt and husband Bill, Burdett; one step-son, David Goldsmith, Hartford, Kansas; four sisters: Ersell Tiede, Great Bend; June Yahne, Great Bend; Bernadine Sullivan, Great Bend; and Carol Larkin, Enid, Oklahoma; and five grandchildren: Steven Penny, Sam Penny, Justin Schmitt, Jonathon Skinner, and Alyssa Skinner. He was preceded in death by one infant son; two infant daughters; three brothers, Bud Skinner, Ray Skinner, and Gene Skinner; two sisters, Donna Schroeder and Betty Hopkins; and one granddaughter, Amber Rose Schmitt. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 16, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home with Brad Stuefen and Doug Ogden officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the John William Skinner Expense Fund, in care of the funeral home.