Don Atkins, 85, of Benton passed away at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Donald was born on November 12, 1930 in Waltonville, IL the son of Thomas M and Fern (Isom) Atkins. He married Ruth Ann Hurst on July 2, 1954 in Benton and she survives.
Mr. Atkins was a Korean War Veteran. He was a Staff SGT in the Air Force. He was a retired Postal employee. He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church. He was an avid fisherman & gardener.
Donald is survived by his wife Ruth Ann Atkins of Benton; 2 children, Mark Alan Atkins of Benton & his fiancee Tammy Milam, Mary Annet (Atkins) Lofton & husband Perry of Sharpe, KY; 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Rice & husband Jeremy of Huntsville, Alabama, Jeremy Miller & wife Jessica of Hendersonville, TN, Nicole Lofton of Nashville, TN, Valerie Miller of Nashville, TN, Megan Warder & husband Dustin of Owensboro, KY, Neil Atkins & wife Lindsey of Harrisburg, IL, Zac Atkins & wife Chalet of Harrisburg, IL, Holly Wilburn & husband Nate of West Frankfort; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Tom Atkins & wife Rosemary of Mt. Vernon; a sister, June Hamlin of Waltonville; several nieces & nephews.
Mr. Atkins was preceded in death by his Parents, 2 Brothers-Lowell Atkins & Bobby Gene Atkins & 2 Sisters-Ila Newell & Ethel Marie Hall.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, June 12th at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Burial with Military Rites will be in the Franklin Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the Immanuel Baptist Church.
For those who wish Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
