George Jerry Skorna

George Jerry Skorna, 81 of St. Johns, MI

It is with a heavy heart we must announce the passing of our father and grandfather, George Skorna.  George was born January 31st, 1943, in an old farmhouse to Paul and Helen Skorna.  George and his eight siblings learned at an early age what hard work was by working on the farm.  However, they always saved time for fun and play.

George left the farm and high school to go to work at F.C. Mason and then on to General Motors where he was a car painter for 32 years before his retirement in 1995.

In 1964, George married Carol Moriarty and together they raised three children:  Sue (Steve) Vitous, Connie Skorna, and Paul (Kris) Skorna in St. Johns, Michigan.

On April 17, 2003, George married Linda Reist Skorna.

George was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and though he called them “Pansies”, he watched every home and away game.  He enjoyed watching his grandson Andreas Skorna groom and maintain the Lansing Lugnuts baseball field before, during and after the games.  He enjoyed watching Andreas play high school baseball and looked forward to his games.  George was a fan of the T.V. show “Naked and Afraid”.  He enjoyed old cars and playing Euchre.  He always looked forward to the Spring and Summer when he could get out and plant his garden, mow the lawn, and feed the birds.  George was a supporter of his granddaughter, Eleni Skorna, and enjoyed watching her play softball.  At times he was an unsolicited umpire at her games.  And he was known as “George Dash” to some for all the meals he would get and deliver.

George will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Those left to cherish is memory are his three children, his grandchildren Brett Vitous, Andreas Skorna, and Eleni Skorna; his sister Josephine (Ralph) Kridner; half-brothers Gerald Smith, Larry Smith; his half-sisters Eileen (Dave) Peters, and Beverly (Terry) Snow; the mother of his children and friend Carol Skorna; his step children Debbie (Gary) Schestag, Jeff (LeAnne) Reist, Rodney Reist, Joyce Reist, and Courtney (Scott) Beagle; numerous nieces and nephews, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, and friends. And finally, Theodore, the cat he loved and shared with his daughter. 

George was welcomed into heaven by his father Paul Skorna; his mother and stepfather Helen and Frank Smith; his brothers Steve Skorna and Joe Skorna; his sister Pauline Carman; his wife Linda Reist Skorna; his stepson Glenn Reist and step granddaughter Megan Reist.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, from 2 – 4PM and 6 – 8PM at Barden Funeral Home located at 225 W Center St., Ithaca, MI

The funeral services will be Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the New Haven Church of God located at 8102 W Washington Rd Sumner. The burial will take place directly after the funeral services at North Star Cemetery located at 3181 E Johnson Road, Ithaca, MI

Following the burial, a luncheon will be served at the Ithaca Community Center located at 120 North Maple Street, Ithaca, MI

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Home of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr. Lansing Mi 48910.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.