Mary Pearl (Fuller) Skelton

Mary Pearl (Fuller) Skelton of Wichita, KS, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026. Mary or “Punkie,” as she was known by her extended family and “Grandma Punkie” by her grandkids, was born on March 1, 1936, in Fruita, Colorado, to Albert C. Fuller and Mary Loraine Wagner. She graduated from Fruita Monument High School in 1954, after which she attended Mesa State University, Brigham Young University, and Western State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in English. She later earned a master’s degree from Mississippi State University. After receiving her bachelor’s, she taught elementary school in Fruita and Loma, Colorado. After having moved to Edwards Air Force Base in California, she continued to teach elementary school. At Edwards, she met and married Lawrence (“Larry”) Skelton, an officer in the Air Force. Larry’s military career took them to many different states and countries. Their travels included places such as Texas, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the Philippines, Bangkok, Thailand, and finally Columbus, Mississippi.

While in Thailand, Mary was an associate editor of Sawaddi, a worldwide-distributed magazine that focused on the topics of art and literature of Southeast Asia. When Larry retired, the couple moved to Wichita, KS, where she taught English composition at Butler County Community College for 10 years.

Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She prided herself on being a homemaker, not only caring for her children, but also babysitting her grandchildren during their formative years. As a devout reader and educator, she frequently read books to her grandchildren. Mary, being the excellent and lifelong educator that she was, had them reading far above their required grade school reading levels.

Before and after retiring, Mary enjoyed writing poetry, studying biblical and ancient North and South American archaeology, genealogy, playing piano, and spending time with her grandchildren and children. Daily, she would share a cup of coffee with her husband while they worked on crossword puzzles and discussed topics ranging from archaeology and history to poetry and genealogy.

Mary is survived in death by her children, Harold (“Larry”) Skelton, wife, Kim and John Skelton and wife, Amber. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Eli and his wife, Swatti, Levi and his wife, Adriane, Lauran, Jensen, and Gillian Skelton, and her sister Eva Park of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mary is preceded in death by her husband of fifty-seven years, Larry Skelton.

If one word could define Mary, it would be “selfless.” She was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and grandmother. She embodied a life spent putting others’ needs before her own and will be dearly missed by all.

Arrangements through Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.