Funeral planned Monday for former U.S. representative Skelton

LEXINGTON, Mo. -- Funeral services have been announced for former Missouri congressman Ike Skelton.

Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home said visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Grondyke Hall at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington.

Skelton's funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Wikoff Hall on the Wentworth campus. A burial with military rites is to occur at the Machpelah Cemetery in Lexington.

Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Monday in honor of Skelton, who died Monday of complications from pneumonia. He was 81.

Skelton served in the U.S. House for 34 years before losing re-election in 2010. He never served in the military but was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and a staunch advocate for the armed forces.