Red Skelton and Lucille Ball

Skelton as Clem Kadiddlehopper

Red Skelton's grave

Red Skelton

Red Skelton was historically significant to the city of Vincennes in the state of Indiana . Skelton was born July 18, 1913 in Vincennes , Indiana at 111 Lyndale Avenue . Joseph Elmer Skelton was his father’s name. His father’s occupations were a grocer and a clown. His mother was an elevator operator and a cleaning woman. Red went to Tecumseh Grammar Elementary School and left home at the age of ten. Some hobbies of his were painting clowns and entertaining others.

Red Skelton was a comedian, entertainer, and an artist. Red began appearing on radio in 1936. He also starred on Broadway in 1937. Skelton was seen on film in 1938, and his first film was “Having Wonderful Time”. In 1939 he joined the Vincennes Masonic Lodge Number 1. He served in the United States Army in World War II from 1944-1945. One of his shows, The Red Skelton Show, ran from 1951-1971. Skelton was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Radio Hall of Fame in 1994.

Vincennes University is building a Performing Arts Center in memory of Red Skelton. Skelton’s wife donated several of his clown paintings to Good Samaritan Hospital. They are hanging in the halls of the Pediatrics Unit. He was a supporter of children’s charities, including The Red Skelton Foundation, which cares for needy children. A bridge over the Wabash River , separating Indiana from Illinois , is named the Red Skelton Bridge . The bridge is located on Highway 50. On July 18, 1981 Vincennes Mayor William Rose dedicated “ Freddy the Freeloaders” bench at the Vincennes-Sun Commercial. This small tribute was dedicated to a great American entertainer and native son of Vincennes , Indiana . Red Skelton’s famous recitation of “The Pledge of Allegiance” explains the meaning of each word. A former teacher in Vincennes taught this to him. His Eisenhower military jacket, worn during World War II, will be permanently displayed at the Indiana Military Museum located in Vincennes .

Richard Bernard Skelton died of respiratory failure on September 17, 1997 at 7:48 A.M. His place of death was Palm Springs , California . He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in the city of Glendale , California . He was a beloved entertainer, had strong family values, and deeply loved his country. Skelton was an example of what is good about America . Skelton was an entertainer who never forgot about his hometown of Vincennes .

Jordan and Jarret