Jay Lavern Skaife, age 74, of Montfort, died Sunday morning, June 23, 1996 at home. He was born December 10, 1921, in Beetown Township, Wisconsin, the son of John and Mildred (Turner) Skaife. He was married to Pearl Udelhoven on June 2, 1943, in Lancaster. On September 11, 1942, Mr Skaife entered the United States Army Air Corps until December 1, 1945. When he married Pearl Udelhoven in 1943, they shared their first meal at the home of the bride which later became their home for 30 years. After completing his military tour of duty, he worked for Bill Schneider's John Deere shop in Lancaster. He then operated a blacksmith shop in Mt. Hope for five years. In 1954, he started farming on the Mrs. Jessie Kopp farm in Little Grant Township. Then in 1956 the couple moved to Montfort where they were engaged in farming for 30 years. Then they moved to the Village of Montfort in 1986. He as an avid fisherman and enjoyed all kinds of hunting as well as woodworking. He is survived by his wife, Pearl; six children: Fred (Linda) Skaife, Geneseo, Illinois; Mrs. Judy Brukholder, Potosi; Connie (Robert) Pagenkopf, Horicon, Wisconsin; Susan (Russ) Thomas, Madison; EJ (Cathy) Skaife, Platteville; Stanley (Connie) Skaife, Montfort; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Raymond (Pearl), Lancaster; Jack (Marlene), Madison; one sister, Mrs. Lenora Heilman, Boscobel. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Michael Burkholder; two infant grandsons; three brothers: Lawrence, Robert, Richard; a sister, Helen Pace. Funeral services were held at the Soman-larson Funeral Home of Montfort on Wednesday, June 26,1996. Paster Carol McDonald officiated. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Montfort, with militiary honors.