MATTHEWS -- Funeral service for Ricky D. Skelton, Matthews Route 1, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.

Skelton, 43, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1996, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born Aug. 15, 1953, in Portageville, son of George and Imogene Fisher Caldwell. He and Linda Diane Smith were married Dec. 8, 1972.

Skelton was a farmer, and attended First Christian Church in East Prairie.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Ricky Skelton of the home; two daughters, Loretta Williams and Julie Chance of Matthews; his mother of Matthews; six brothers, Thomas and Clyde Caldwell of Union, Vernon Skelton of O'Fallon, Stanley Skelton of Sikeston, Billy Skelton of Matthews, and Charles Skelton of East Prairie.

He is also survived by eight sisters, Barbara Amick and Mary Skelton of Matthews, Brenda Eldridge of Gosnell, Ark., Alice Skelton of St. Louis, Polly Gifford of Essex, Sally Skelton, Shirley Smith and Martha Lee of East Prairie; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother.