Elden Stirl Skeens, age 83, of Bluestone Road, Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2012, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Born March 24, 1928, at Stark, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Elmer and Laura Conn Skeens. He was also preceded in death by a six-month-old daughter, Phyllis Skeens, and a brother, Owen Skeens Elden is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anna Lee Thomas Skeens, whom he married February 12, 1953; one daughter, Linda Skeens of Morehead, Kentucky; three sons and daughters-in-law, Gregory and Barbara Skeens of Pikeville, Kentucky, Warner and Jami Perry Skeens of Morehead, Kentucky, and Johnny and Nancy Skeens of Ashland, Kentucky; six grandchildren; three step grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one sister, Irene Orrick and husband Jim of Pee Wee Valley, Kentucky; and his faithful Chow companion, Rebel. Elden was a courier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and retired from the Bluegrass Army Depot in Avon, Kentucky, in 1970. He was a lifelong farmer, a Morehead City Police officer in the fifties, and the first male orderly at St. Claire Regional Medical Center. He enjoyed writing about his childhood days growing up in the Stark Community in Elliott County. His articles entitled -A Miracle on Caney Creek- were published in various newspapers including The Morehead News and Elliott County News. Elden also enjoyed farming, hunting, raising a garden, and spending time with his family and friends. Elden was a board member for Kentucky Farm Bureau for more than 25 years, a 52-year member of Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654, and a Kentucky Colonel. Of greatest importance, Elden was a Christian and member of the First Free Will Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012, with Pastor David Starcher officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with full military honors by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126. Pallbearers: Jeff Skeens, J. D. Skeens, James Little, Garrett Little, Archie Littleton, and Dr. Jim Scott Orrick. Honorary Pallbearers: Tom Brown, Sanford Bentley, Verlin Qualls, Roger Young, Mike Esposito, Joe Qualls, and Gabriel Littleton. Visitation is after 4 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals with Masonic Rites conducted at 7:30 p.m. by Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654. Visitation: Saturday, March 24, 2012, after 4 p.m. Funeral: Sunday, March 25, 2012, at 3 p.m. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens