Eric von Skutz

Flint, MI

Eric Etienne von Skutz died unexpectedly at his home he shared with Frank Kobylczak on February 10^th, 2018. He had been feeling poorly that evening and likely suffered a heart attack.

Eric was born in Lansing in 1964 to parents Delmar Skutt Jr. and Betty Jane Joppie (Force). He attended college at Western Michigan and graduated with honors earning a bachelor’s in humanities.

For those that befriended and knew him will likely recall his quick, dry witticisms, his love for British TV programming, all things cat, and excellent architecture.

Eric will be deeply missed and keenly remembered by his loyal friend and partner, Frank Kobylczak; mother, Betty Joppie and stepfather David Joppie; his brother, Anthony Skutt and sister-in-law, Ines Skutt (Richter); uncles, Terry Skutt (Ester) and Garry Skutt (Peggy); and many nephews and cousins too numerous to mention. He had a special friendship with his first cousin, Jamie Dexter (Drumm), whom we all adore. He was also blessed with a 40-year friendship with his loving friend from Lansing Christian High School Shalley Larson who understood and appreciated him like a few others.

Posting by Shalley Larson

Yesterday, I lost a dear friend of nearly 40 years.

As we go through the seasons of our lives, friends come and go. If we are lucky, we find a few special friends who really understand us, appreciate us, and touch our lives in a profound way.

Eric, was one of these friends.

I will always cherish the memories of our friendship – Our mutual love of fine dining, dark chocolate, British comedy, our shopping trips, and the road trips in his big Cadillac when we would tour upscale neighborhoods admiring the beautiful homes and imagining what it would be like to live there and how we would decorate them. His clever wit could make me laugh like no one else’s could.

Eric, I will forever remember you as my elegant, kind, brilliant, witty and wonderful friend with a heart of pure gold.

RIP. The sunshine in Heaven just got a little brighter with you there.

A memorial visitation will be held from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Inurnment will follow in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.