John E. Atkins

John E. Atkins, age 61, of Thomson, Illinois, died Saturday, January 10, 2009 at home. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois, Pastor Ron Abbott will officiate. Cremation Rites will be accorded. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in John’s memory.John was born on June 28, 1947, the son of Kenneth Leroy and Alma Jean (Cowden) Atkins, in Savanna, Illinois. He attended Thomson School. John married Pat Foster on May 29, 1980 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He enjoyed bowling, gambling at the riverboat casinos, fishing, restoring cars, and his motorcycles. Most of all John loved his family.John is survived by his wife, Pat Atkins of Thomson; three sons, Richard (Kimberley Wurster) Atkins of Thomson, Wayne Atkins of Thomson, John Atkins of Thomson; three daughters, Denise (John) Abildgaard, Joni (Jacob) Qualls of Clinton, Iowa, Marie (Jeremy Story) Atkins of Thomson; thirteen grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; mother, Alma Jean of Strong City, Kansas; brother David Shelton of Strong City, Kansas; two sisters, April Pike of Oklahoma, Gloria (James) Skaggs of Arizona.John is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth and a grandson Jason.