Leland J. Skiles, 75, of Astoria died at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000, at Astoria Healthcare Center.

He was born Aug. 27, 1925, in Astoria Township, a son of Leland and Hazel Hoke Skiles. He married Madelyn D. Foster on June 6, 1944, in Alexandria, La. She died Aug. 22, 1999.

He also was preceded in death by one son, Brad Skiles.

Surviving are two daughters, Landa Skiles of Atlanta, Ga., and Robin (and Kenton) Shawgo of Astoria; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one sister, Charlotte (and Wayne) Walden of Seligman, Mo.; and one brother, Carroll (and Wanda) of Astoria.

A member of Astoria American Legion Post 25, he was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Air Forces 452nd Bomber Group Association and as an aerial gunner in the 729th Bomb Squadron, stationed in Deopham Green, England.

He was a member of Astoria Lions Club and the Good Sam Club.

He was a member of ANSAR Temple AAONMS of Springfield; Masonic Lodge 116 of Vermont; and Order of the Eastern Star 226 of Ipava.

He owned and operated Skiles Fertilizer in Astoria from 1946 until his retirement in 1996.

He was a former member of the board of directors of the Farmers State Bank of Astoria and a former trustee of the Village of Astoria.

He was a member of Astoria United Methodist Church.

Services were held Tuesday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with Rev. Marian Stone officiating. Burial was in Astoria Cemetery, with military honors conducted by his American Legion post.

Memorials may be made to his church or Astoria Rescue Squad.

Leland Skiles (1925)