This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Skeen, Kiser, Harless, Gibson, Southall, Spencer, Hammack, Brisendine, Stalnaker, Baker, Upton, Cornette Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/WCC.2ACE/4176 Message Board Post: Rev. Raymond Lee Skeen, 80, of Cottageville, WV, departed this life February 6, 2005 at his home, surround by his family following a brief illness. He was born December 23, 1924 in Kentuck, a son of the late Ben Wetzel and Mary Jane (Kiser) Skeen. He was also preceded in death by sons, Rocky Lee Skeen, and step-son, Larry Livingston Harless brothers, George, Rev. Peter, Dennie, Benjamin Web, and John Clifford; sisters, Mabel Gibson, Marjie Southall, Millie Spencer, Mayme Hammack, Masie Brisendine, and Margaret Stalnaker. He was co-founder, charter member, and pastor for 17 years of the Open Bible Church, Ripley. He also ministered through the radio program, “The Blessed Hope Hour” on WMOV radio for 13 years. He was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps and served in the South Pacific during World War II where he participated in the 9th wave of the invasion on Iwo Jima. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ann Elizabeth (Baker) Skeen; son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Benjamin and Marie Skeen of Ripley; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and John Upton of Evans, and Rebecca “Becky” and Lee Cornette of Cottageville; step-son and his wife, Rod and Joan Harless of South Charleston; sister, Marie Skeen of Ripley; 20 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren Graveside service was held Monday, February 7, 2005 at 4 p.m. in the Blaine Memorial Cemetery, Cottageville, with the Rev. Frank Ashworth officiating. Arrangements were provided by Casto Funeral Home, Evans, WV.