Bernard Raymond Bernie Skoff

Bernard Raymond "Bernie" Skoff, 97, of McLeod, Montana, formerly of Joliet, Illinois passed away Monday, June 26, 2017 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 15th, the Franzen-Davis Chapel with Pastor Bryan Baker officiating. Memorials are preferred to: Montana Wounded Warriors, 100 Cooperative Way #100, Kalispell, MT 59901. Bernie was born on May 30, 1920, in Joliet, Illinois. He was the son of Anton and Barbara (Horwat) Skoff. He received his education in Joliet and was a graduate of the Saint Joseph Parochial High School. Following school Bernie had taken a job with Champion Machine Co. as a shop maintenance mechanic. Bernie entered active military service in the United States ARMY on July 3rd, 1942, and served his country during the World War II. His training at the machine shop would soon come in handy. The men were tested to see who had the ability to repair the communication radios, as he had knowledge of this facet he was chosen to be General Pattons personal Radio Operator. He was with Pattons 95th "Victory" Infantry Division. He landed the beaches in Normandy on D-Day and served throughout Europe. He earned the rank of Sergeant, was awarded three Bronze Stars. He received an Honorable Discharge on September 20th, 1945. On November 11th, 1957, Bernie was united in marriage to Elizabeth DiSera in Joliet, IL. This marriage was blessed with a daughter, Bernadette. Bernie and Liz began their lives together in Plainfield, building the home they would share for the next 47 years. Bernie worked as a carpenter and millwright throughout his career. He belonged to the Will County Carpenters Local #174. Liz passed in 2004 and Bernie stayed living at their home until 2010 when he made the move to Montana to be near Bernadette and Bill. He was a true family man. He supported his wife and his daughter in all they did. In the service he was quite a poker hustler, he raced pigeons and was a "turtle man" scouring the rivers of Illinois hunting turtles. In Joliet he belonged to KSKJ a Slovakia heritage organization and was a familiar face at Total Fitness in Livingston. Blessed be his memory. Bernie is survived by his: daughter, Bernadette Rambow and her husband, William of McLeod, MT and step-son, Robert Patrick and his wife, Carol of Washington. Grandchildren, Ann Marie Coulucci, Michele Patrick, Lisa Patrick, Mark Patrick and Nicole Patrick -Bingham, numerous great-grandchildren. Sisters-in-law, Judy Skoff and Marge Skoff both of Joliet, IL. Many other relatives and friends. Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Elizabeth in 2004, siblings, John, Lou, Bill, Julie, Tony, Ed, Mame, Betty and Rose. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.