"To the entire Atkins family, you have my sincere condolences. It has been a long time since I have seen Kathy or the family. You are in my prayers.Donna"
In loving memory of
EILEEN T. ADKINS
January 12, 1929 - November 29, 2008
Eileen Tanner Adkins, age 79, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 2:20 p.m. Saturday, November 29, 2008 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City, IN. Born on January 12, 1929 in Norwich, Chenago Co., NY, she was the daughter of George and Francis M. (Smith) Tanner.A former resident of Ohio and Fort Wayne, IN, she relocated to Columbia City where she graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1947. After graduation, she worked in the office of Blue Bell, Columbia City. On August 28, 1949 she married Walter J. Adkins at Grace Lutheran Church, Columbia City. A homemaker, she worked as a nurses aide for the former Whitley County Hospital, now known as Parkview Whitley Hospital, from 1969 to 1972. For 35 years, she was the bookkeeper for Adkins Mobile Home Park, Columbia City. A member of the Grace Lutheran Church, Columbia City, she was a Sunday School Teacher and participated in several groups such as the Debra Group and Helping Hands Quilting. She also shared communion with the homebound and people living in nursing homes. As a volunteer for Parkview Whitley Hospital, she delivered Meals on Wheels to the Columbia City area residents. She was a former member of Business and Professional Women. Survivors include her husband, Walter J. Adkins of Columbia City; daughters, Victoria K. Adkins and Susan J. Bills both of Columbia City, Catherine M. (Chris) Johnson of Zionsville, IN and Julia E. (Mark) Phegley of Decatur, IN; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Eleanor (Rex) Grable of Columbia City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred A., H. Edward and Richard M. Tanner.Visitation is 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church, 204 North Main Street, Columbia City with Dr. C. James Cress officiating. Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Adkins to Mental Health America for research or Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.Click here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.
Tributes
"To the Entire Adkins Family,I'm so sorry to hear of your loss of Eileen. All of you are in my thoughts.Ellen Perry"
"Uncle Jake, Susie, Vickie,Cathy and Julie plus all those gorgeous children of yours...tears are already rolling down my cheek when I think of Aunt EIleen's passing. But gosh what a blessing she has been to so many of us. Her smile and hugs meant so much to me. I love to think of all the nice gestures she has given me and mine . I shall miss her , A LOT, I am glad I don't throw stuff away because her cards and notes to me through the years will have to do until I see her again someday and we can laugh . Please feel my hugs; I am here for all of you, anytime.Love and kisses Becky"
"So very sorry to hear about Eileen - she always called me Nora (mom), but then said oh no its Sherri - what a great lady. Mom also sendsher sympathy and her thoughts & prayers are with all of you."
"Vickie,I'm so sorry that you have lost your mother. She was such a nice lady. I know first hand that it is not easy to lose your mom, but isn't it reassuring to know that her earthly trials are over and she is with the Lord. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. "
"To the entire Adkins FamilyYou have our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Ralph and Myrna"
"Dear Adkins family-I would like to be there today to talk to each of you, but am home recovering from back & neck surgery. Cathie, I will never forget how your mother welcomed all your friends into her home, with always a smile & kind word. You always had the best slumber parties since we had the living room AND the entire basement! Our families both had four kids, all the same ages, so we always knew what was going on with each other. My mother told me for years, "no one will ever love you quite like your mother does". At the time, I knew it was to make me more comfortable when I was going through a tough situation & wanted to talk to her. Now, since she is gone, I truly realize what she meant by that. I now tell my own daughters how she passed that on, and I know someday they will understand. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"So sorry to hear about your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"DEAR JAKE AND FAMILY, SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS, SHE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON. YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. MANDY YOU ARE IN OUR PARYERS ALSO. CAROLINE JACKSON, JENNIFER JACKSON, JOE AND TARA JACKSON, JEFF JACKSON"
"Macy, I am sorry about your grandma. I had lots of fun when I spent the night at her house and she was so very nice. Thinking of you, Love Amberly"
"Julia,I am very sorry to learn about the loss of your mom. May God comfort you and your family in this difficult time. Dave"
"Jake, I have fond memories of sledding in your back yard and down into the park. Eileen made the best hot chocolate! I have thought of you and Eileen often over the years since we lived in C.C. Please know that my heart and prayers are with the family.With sincere sympathy,Gayle Gastel Corry(daughter of John Gastel,former MGR. of NIPSCO) "
" My Dear Friends, Like all of you, I am so sad and my heart is so heavy laden with the loss of my dearest and best friend on earth. Gee, we were best of friends for 35 years. I have so many wonderful memories of our times together. She was the dearest person. Always kind, gracious, giving, compassionate to the hurting, understanding and nonjudgmental. If anyone had the attributers of Christ the Saviour, it was Eileen. I feel so blessed to have known her and being able to carry so many wonderful memories of times we shared with one another over the yesrs. Girls - you had in your mother a guide - a friend and an example of what love really is. Thank you too Jake - for you have always been the kind of loving husband, helpmate and caretaker any wife could possibly hope to have.. Please know how much I feel your loss today and always. And even though I am not there in the flesh, please imagine my arms around all of you and feel my compassion and empathy. I shall hold Eileen in my heart all the days of my life.. And one more thing. She could never speak more highly and loving of each member of your family. She felt so much pride in all of you.Grant your heart the tears to be shed, because you should cry. You are suffering a deep loss. All who knew her are also. Bless you each and everyone. My love and devotion, Sharon"
"To the family and friends of Eileen Adkins: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We pray that God will grant you His peace that passes all understanding. Gene & Carol Snyder Patterson "
"To the Entire Adkins Family;May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "
"Jake & familyI'm praying for you at this time.Eddie"
"To the Phegly Family and the entire Adkins family we send our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love always, Linda & Spence"
"jake our prayers are with you!jerry and sherri freewalt"
"To the entire family, please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Eileen was always a very special person to me since I was a very young girl. She was always so kind and caring. She will be very much missed.With great sadness,Laurie LaRue Blls"