Kathleen (Downs) Skahan, 62, Columbus died Saturday, December 16, 2023.
Born April 14, 1961 in Columbus, Kathleen was the daughter of the late James Ellison Sr. and Sandra Lea (Dollard) Downs. She graduated high school in Lebo with the class of 1979. Kathleen was a welder by trade, and worked for Eagle Picher from 19842000, recently retiring from Oasis Car Wash Systems in Galena. She was a member of Connecting Point Church and loved spending time with her grandkids and going to the casino. In 1979, she married Daniel Flinn. To that union were born two sons, Nathan and Ryan. They later divorced. On August 2, 1997 she married Gary Skahan, who preceded her in death in 2000.
Also preceding her in death was a brother Jim Downs. Survivors include her two sons: Ryan Flinn (Kristine) of Columbus and Nathan Flinn of Galena,; brothers: LeRoy Downs (Shiela) of Crestline; Ernie Downs (Crystal) of Carl Junction, Mo.; William Wilson (Sarah) of Aubrey, Texas; Casey Downs of West Mineral; Sisters Karen Johnston (Roger) of Columbus, Kay Wade (Doug) of Joplin, Mo., and Jaye Bea Hawkins (Bryan) of Tulsa, Okla. Grandchildren Bentley Flinn, Derick Hood, Hallie Kate Carter, Kristen Flinn, Ryan Flinn, Meika Flinn, Dean Flinn, and Erika Flinn and great- grandchild Layton Hood also survive.
Cremation arrangements are being handled by Derfelt Funeral Home of Columbus. A memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 at the funeral home.