State asks: Why did Hazel Park veteran freeze to death?

The state ordered Consumers Energy Thursday to report on a natural gas service shutoff in a Hazel Park home where a Vietnam veteran died of hypothermia earlier this month.

John Skelley, 69, was found dead Feb. 1 in a home on West Pearl Street. Hazel Park police say Skelley died of hypothermia and other health issues. According to Consumers Energy, service was disconnected at the home on the afternoon of Jan. 19 and a tag with assistance and reconnection information was placed on the door.

Utility companies are prohibited from shutting off heat in homes that have residents aged 65 and older from Nov. 1 to March 31, according to Michigan Public Service Commission spokeswoman Judy Palnau. Consumers Energy does have a shutoff protection program for people 65 and older.

"That doesn't mean they don't have to pay; that just means they can't be shut off," she said. "But other folks could find themselves in shutoff situations, but before they have a problem, they should contact their utility company. There are several programs that they can get on that can protect against shutoffs."

But the company said it was not aware that Skelley was living in the home. According to the company's records, the service was in the name of Joseph Mixen, who requested natural gas service on Nov. 18, 2014. Mixen had previously lived at the home between March 2012 and May 2013 and had an outstanding balance of $760.28.

As a condition to restore service, he was required to make an initial payment and was then put on a payment plan for the outstanding balance with payments required every two weeks. According to Consumers spokeswoman Deborah Dodd, no payments were made after initial payment on Nov. 18. Dodd said shutoff notices were sent on Dec. 18, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Dodd said no mail was returned and the company had no phone number on record for Mixen.

"It's very unfortunate," Dodd said. "We had no idea that anyone else was living with him. ... We need our customers to let us know if they're having problems, the sooner the better. We can't help you if we don't know you need help."

Dodd said Mixen did not contact Consumers Energy about his account.

"This recent Hazel Park death from apparent hypothermia is indeed tragic, and our sympathy goes out to his family, friends and all who've been affected by his loss," the company said in a statement. "Following today's order from the Michigan Public Service Commission, we will file a report about this incident." The report is due March 31.

MPSC staff are working to revise its rules on billing practices for residential service, which include provisions on shutoff procedures, medical emergencies and winter protection plans. The commission hopes the review and Consumers' findings can "avert a repetition of this tragedy," it said in a statement.

The MPSC will file its conclusions and recommendations by April 30.

Hangin' with the Heroes, a metro Detroit-based organization that helps veterans, has pooled resources and raised money to cover Skelley's funeral.

Founder Ron Gilmour said Skelley will receive a full military burial. Gilmour said he has been in touch with Skelley's family, including two of his children.

"This is something that was a massive undertaking for us," he said. "Within two hours of hearing about it, we decided on our course of action and through a lot of help and reaching out to get some publicity, we managed to make everything happen."

In a brief interview, Skelley's daughter, Freya Keener, said her father was a very private man who "didn't show emotion very often, but all his kids knew he loved us."

In addition to Keener, Skelley is survived by his children, Kristy Skelley, Tanya Mitchell, John Skelley Jr. and James Skelley.

A viewing will be held at the Wessels & Wilk Funeral Home in Pleasant Ridge from 2-7 p.m. Monday with services at 6 p.m.

Skelley's military service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. A wake will be held at the Ferndale Elks Club, 22856 Woodward Ave., at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Checks to help pay for Skelley's funeral can be mailed to the Ferndale Elks Lodge. In the memo portion of the check, put Hangin' with the Heroes or John Skelley.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Katrease Stafford: kstafford@freepress.com or 313-223-4759. Follow her on Twitter @KatreaseS_Freep.