Ernest Claude Skelton, 71, of Petersburg, died Wednesday, July 13, 2011. He was a native of Petersburg and son of the late Norman and Lula Overby Skelton. Mr. Skelton was an avid fisherman. He was predeceased by his sister Gloria Mae Lester. He is survived by his two daughters, Sharon Cole and husband, Garry and Donna Skelton; grandson, Cody Isham; formerly married to Mary Norwood Skelton; three brothers, Norman Skelton and Ronald Skelton and wife, Joyce and Morris Skelton; and a sister, Ann Warren and husband, Bill; longtime companion, Barbara Marks, her children, Heather Martin and Danielle Marks; grandchildren, Tamarynn, Kolby and Pierce Martin, and Brooklynn Brown. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Southlawn Memorial Park.