Mert Charles Skaggs 1890-1982

Mert Charles Skaggs was born June 11, 1890 on a farm near Crocker, Missouri, son of J.R. and Laura Skaggs, making his age 92 years and 5 months. He was united in marriage on August 27, 1912 to Artie Rumbaugh at Bloodland, Missouri, making their marriage 70 years past. To their union was born 5 children: Myrtly Fiore, Richard Skaggs, Charles W. (Jack) Skaggs, Bonnie Kamins (deceased in 1965), and Gay Newcomb. There are 12 grandchildren (Beth Hardesty, Bill Skaggs, Jim Skaggs, Jeff Skaggs, Jill Skaggs, Cherie Newcomb, Lisa Laughlin, Hank Newcomb, Gay Shoup, Andrew Fiore, Peter Fiore, and Susan Kamins.), and 7 great grandchildren.

Mr. Skaggs was a blacksmith and also ran a garage business in Bloodland, Missouri from 1912-1922. At that time he moved back to Crocker where he ran a garage business, manufactured automobile accessories, and perfected the Skaggs Woodfurnace, which is still being sold today by his two sons. Mr. Skaggs retired from the manufacturing business at age 69 but was very actively involved with woodworking projects as well as operating a minnow hatchery on the Gasconade river.

Mr. Skaggs became ill in April, 1982 and was confined to the Pulaski County Memorial Hospital. He died on November 11, 1982 in the Tri County Nursing Home, Richland, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, one half brother, one half sister, and one step sister. He will be mourned and missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral services were held at Long Moss Funeral Chapel on November 14 with Calvin Parrish and Mark Miller officiating. Mr. Skaggs 6 grandsons served as pallbearers at the services. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions were made to the Crocker Baptist Church where Mr. Skaggs was a member since 1932.