Wayne E. Atkins

Wayne E. Atkins was born April 11, 1925 in Mound City He was one of eleven children of Earl and Ethel (Smith) Atkins.

A 1943 graduate of Oregon High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Helen Graham, on July 26, 1945 in Troy, Kansas. They became parents of four children.

Wayne was a lifelong resident of the Oregon community. He was a member of the Oregon United Methodist Church. He served his country as a staff sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, serving in occupied Japan. He was a member of the V.F.W. and Missouri Farm Bureau.

Wayne was well known in the Oregon and Forest City farming community. He was the assistant manager with Cargill Elevator at Forest City, Missouri and manager of O’Connell Farm Supply in Oregon, Missouri. He was noted for being a successful swine and beef producer in Northwest Missouri. He took great pride in livestock production and his children participating in the 4-H arena.

Wayne passed away at his home on Thursday, February 25, 2021 surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his four children and their spouses; Robbie (Lorna) Atkins, Iola, Kansas, Jo Ellen (Richard) Lincoln, Trimble, Missouri, Wayne Dean (Lila) Atkins, Oregon, Missouri and Ronnie Atkins, of the home; seven grandchildren, David Atkins, Chris (Gayle) Atkins, Scott (Amber) Atkins, Barbie Atkins, Thad (Tricia) Lincoln, Brad Lincoln, and Angela (Todd) Henehan; six great grandchildren, Brittany (Dylan) Morgan, Kayla Lincoln, Charley Lincoln, Kennedy Lincoln, Sophia Atkins, and Jace Atkins; one great-great grandson, Jameson Morgan; brother and sister-in-law, Albert (Glenda) Atkins, Oregon; sister-in-law, Minnie Zachary, Mound City; special friend, Dorothy Terhune, Lincoln, Nebraska; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and nine siblings, Paul Atkins, Earl Richard Atkins, Mildred Adams Cromer, Joyce Kunkel, Elizabeth Atkins, Donald Atkins, and infants Neva, Glenna, and Francis Atkins.

Wayne will be remembered for his love of sports and his athletic abilities and talents demonstrated as a quarterback on the Oregon High School football team (1942-1945). He also displayed his skills on the basketball court. He continued his love of sports during his retirement by watching college football and basketball on television. The Kansas City Royals were a favorite. He was also be remembered for his patience, being a kind and loving father, his devotion to God, and his courage during the trials and agonies of the aging process. May he rest in peace.

Private family services: Monday, March 1, 2021, 10:30 am, Oregon United Methodist Church. Interment with military rites: Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon. Memorials: Oregon United Methodist Church or Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org.

The service will be available for viewing on the United Methodist Church Facebook page.