Procession for Gordonville man killed in Iraq set for Wednesday

Southeast Missourian

The procession for a Gordonville man who was killed in Iraq while serving with the Missouri National Guard's 1138th Engineer Battalion is tentatively scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to McComb's Funeral home. Staff Sgt. Bradley Skelton, a former Gordonville firefighter, was killed Feb. 6 in Baghdad when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb.

People wishing to greet the officials bringing home Skelton's body at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and join the procession to the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson should be aware parking will be tight, said Christi Guilliams, funeral director at McCombs.

It may be easier for people wishing to follow the procession to pick it up along one of the side streets by the airport or somewhere closer to Jackson, she said.

The route will stay on Interstate 55, picking up U.S. 61 near the veteran's home and proceeding to 640 W. Independence St., in Jackson.

Plans may change depending on the weather, Guilliams said.

She anticipates the trip will take about 45 minutes because of how slow participants will have to travel with the procession, she said.

A tentative schedule has been set for the funeral arrangements.

Visitation is expected to be from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home. Services will likely be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Saxony Lutheran High School, though doors will probably close to the public by 11 a.m.

Check back at semissourian.com today for updates.