Homer Skarin, 91, died on Monday, September 24, 2012 after suffering a stroke. He and Lois, his wife of 68 years, resided together at Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL. They had lived in the Wheaton area for 20 years.

Gilbert Homer Skarin was born at Geneva, IL on May 1, 1921. His mother, Ida Johnson, emigrated from Sweden in 1906. His father, Gilbert Walter Herman Skarin, was also of Swedish ancestry. Homer grew up in Batavia, IL with his brother, Bob, and sister, Marquetta. He attended Cornell College in Iowa, graduating a year early in 1943. He served in WWII as Lt, US Navy on the USS Harry Lee in the South Pacific. He married his college sweetheart, Lois Kaylor, on August 24, 1944.

After the war, Homer studied at the University of Michigan. Upon graduation with a masters degree in public administration, he was offered a temporary position at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. This led to a 29 year career as clerk for the Appropriations Committee of the US House of Representatives. Many Congressmen came and went, but Homer stayed. He organized hearings and helped write bills that funded science, the space program, exploration of Antarctica, public housing, and veterans' affairs. He was greatly respected and missed when he retired in 1977.

Homer had a long retirement that centered around family, church, and community. He and Lois took many road trips to visit children and grandchildren from east to west coasts and even to Germany. Homer was always very generous with his enabling support: a safe and comfortable home, as lay leader in the church and Gideons, a handyman for remodeling projects, and an enthusiastic grandfather. He supported all four children through college. He gave financial backing to people and Christian organizations in which he believed. Homer was proud of his Swedish ancestry, visiting aunts and cousins twice in Sweden. Recently, at a family reunion in Batavia, he was the oldest of the relatives. A solid, steady, quiet faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, permeated every part of his life. Others saw Christ through him.

G. Homer Skarin is survived by his wife, Lois, and all of his children: Bob (Leni) Skarin of Yakima, WA, Marc (Sharon) Skarin of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Janie (Paul) Waters of Topeka, KS, and James (Linda) Skarin of Wheaton, IL. Also, 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, his sister, Marquetta Bruce, of Lakeland, FL and sister-in-law, Muriel Skarin, of Naperville, IL survive. He was preceded in death by his mother Ida (1946), father, Gilbert (1974), step-mother, Audrey (1986) and brother, Bob (2000).

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 28, 2012 from 9 a.m. until the time of a funeral service to be held at 10:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL.

Burial is in the family plot at Batavia West Side Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 934, Wheaton, Illinois 60189 for the purchase of Bibles.