KAILUA-KONA — It remains unclear if Charles Allan Skinner has living family, but he’s got a few advocates on Hawaii Island, where he will be buried at noon today during a service open to the public. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA — It
KAILUA-KONA — It remains unclear if Charles Allan Skinner has living family, but he’s got a few advocates on Hawaii Island, where he will be buried at noon today during a service open to the public.
Skinner, who lived in Waimea before health issues forced him into assisted living, died in April at Hilo Medical Center. He was 91.
According to Michele Graham, a former neighbor and friend turned caregiver in Skinner’s later years, he was a veteran of the Canadian Air Force during World War II and later served as a gunner in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. They are two of several details Dale Ross, president of West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, is trying to confirm as no one related to the former soldier can be found.
Josh Stensrud, funeral director at Homelani Memorial Park, said several people have attempted to locate Skinner’s family, but to no avail.
Today’s services, however, will proceed.
Ross made sure there was a place for Skinner, who was cremated, in West Hawaii, and also arranged a firing squad and a bugler for the ceremony.
