Gary Jay Skappel, 75

Gary Jay Skappel, 75, of North Platte, Neb., formerly of Oberlin, Kan., and Lancaster, Minn., passed away on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at the North Platte Care Center.
Born on Sept. 2, 1946, in Roseau, Minn., he was the son of Joel and Olive May (Hoyt) Skappel.
Gary was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War as a mechanic in Korea. He worked as a diesel mechanic and truck driver for most of his career. He was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed hunting, fishing and small engine repair in his free time.
Surviving him are: his brother, Franklin A. (Sharon) Skappel of Lancaster; sisters, Lila M. Wills of Westminster, Colo., and Doris E. (Dennis) Wilebski of Monroe, Mich.; many nieces, nephews, step-children and step-grandchildren. Also surviving are close friends, Wade family of Oberlin, and Zahara family of Pembina, N.D.; and many other special friends.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Joel and Olive; and by a sister and brother-in-law, Lilly M. (Joseph) Smolak.
A memorial service will be planned for this spring in Oberlin and Lancaster, with burial in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Hallock, Minn.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed to the family at www.carpentermemorial. com.