Geneva Lykins Schuler-Skeens, 71, Kansas City, Mo., a former Osawatomie resident, died Monday, April 11, 2005, after a long illness with cancer.

She was born May 17, 1933, in Glasgow, Ky., the daughter of Garrett Newton and Mary Lucille Edmonds Lykins. She attended Osawatomie High School, graduating in 1950.

In 1951, she and John Schuler were married in Osawatomie, where they lived until 1958. They became the parents of two children.

She spent most of her working years as a secretary. Her most recent position was with Phillips Petroleum Co., with eight of those years being in Greenville, S.C. She moved back to Kansas City to be near her daughters and their families.

She and Milton Skeens were married May 18, 1997, in Overland Park.

Mrs. Schuler-Skeens was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Among those preceding her in death were three brothers, Henry Lykins, James Lykins and Owen Curtis Lykins, and two sisters, Anita Estes and Alice Cortner.

Survivors include her husband, Milton Skeens of the home; two daughters, Cindy Davidson of Overland Park and Gail Jennings of Leawood; a stepson, David Skeens of Kansas City, Mo.; a stepdaughter, Ellen Fairchild of Greenwood, Mo.; and eight grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time. Viewing was from 1 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the funeral home. Burial will be in Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brandon Jennings, Chris Jennings, Steve Jennings, Jim Davidson, Brian Fairchild and David Skeens.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.