- Date Of Birth: January 2, 1945
- Date Of Death: March 3, 2021
- State: Missouri
John W Skaggs, 76, of Hallsville, formerly of the Moberly area, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021. John was born in Moline, IL, on January 2, 1945, to William Freeman and Evelyn Jean (Rohr) Skaggs.
John is a 1963 graduate of Rock Island High School and The Police Academy of Champaign, Il. He has several law enforcement certificates from various colleges including Western University IL. He also attended Secret Service School in Maryland.
He started out following his father in working for Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric. He became a City of East Moline, IL Police officer. He built a shooting range for the area’s officers. He created a Moving Target Shooting Range that he sold around the country including Lakeland, Florida where it is still in use. He briefly worked loading trucks for ABF; his last job of 17 years was for The Chapman Academy that later became Green Valley Range. John was passionate about gun control and taught the proper handling of a gun. He even taught Navy Seals, FBI, and Barbara Mandrell’s son. He was a master marksman. John worked the Bianchi cup competition shoot for several years. He also went to Panama and taught a two-week gun control course. After his debilitating stroke in 2004, an article was published in a magazine about John’s experiences and why he thought that gun control was so important.
John was married in 1965 to Nola M Barlett, had a daughter in 1966, and divorced in 1969.
John later married Connie L Snyder on November 11, 1971. He built the family home in East Moline in 1975. John and Connie welcomed their son in 1979.
John always had a friendly smile and a serious side. It was the way, your way, and then John’s way! He loved the Cardinals! He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
John was preceded in Death by his parents, Bill in1995 and Evelyn in 2020, a brother Edgar in 2013, his parents-in-law Bill in1999 and Marcy Snyder in 2016, half-sister Hazel E. (Penny) Marx, nephew Chad Snyder, a Cat Shead and Dog Rowdy.
He is survived by his loving wife Connie L (Snyder) Skaggs of almost 50 years; Daughter Julie Dennhardt (Greg Campbell) Geneseo, IL; Son Corey J Skaggs, Hallsville, MO; Half sister Jeanetta (Sally) Faith with Niece Rose Faith both of Salem, MO; Brothers-in-law Mike Snyder (Chris) Moline, IL; Bill Snyder Jr. of Florida; Aunt Mariella Freed, IL; Granddaughters Jessica and Melissa Dennhardt of Illinois; and two great-grandchildren.
