George Atkins

George Atkins, 82, went to be with the Lord Friday, September 5th 2025, passing peacefully at Hancock Regional Hospital.

He was born November 28, 1942, to the late Herman and Emogene (Johnson) Atkins, in Rush County. He received his GED from New Castle High School. He married Judi Roland on December 4th, 1964, and lived in the Knightstown home for 51 years.

George was a veteran of the US Air Force, and was retired from Ford Motor Company after 31 years. He enjoyed working on cars. Prior to his years at Ford, he painted cars in the body shop for the former Rice Ford, and was a mechanic at the former Standard gas station in Knightstown.

George was a member of the Knightstown Masonic Lodge for 50 years, and was a member of the three time national champion Yorkright Commandry Drill Team. George served multiple times as Worthy Patron with the Knightstown Order of Eastern Star and was a Little League baseball coach with the Knightstown Optimist Club. He was a member of the Knightstown First Christian Church. He also loved the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and recently the Philadelphia Phillies.

George never met a stranger. A simple trip to the hardware store could become a two hour event once he found someone to talk to. He loved his family and looked forward to having them around him. George also loved miniature schnauzers, and owned five of them over the years.

George is survived by his wife, Judi; son Scott (wife Ginger) Atkins of Fort Wayne, son Todd (wife Jenny) of Wilkinson; granddaughter Alexis (partner Nathan Brophy) Atkins, grandson Cody Atkins; brother-in-law’s Jim Walls, Mick Roland, and Bob Horton (Oklahoma); sister-in-law’s Sheryl Roland and Winnie Roland; several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by sisters Mary, Fairy Ann, and Dorothy; his brother John; a nephew John Charles Atkins Jr; and his beloved miniature schnauzers April, Toby, and Maddie.

Services will be held at 11:00am Friday, September 12, 2025 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel with Anthony Darling, pastor of Wilkinson Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Glen Cove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to Knightstown First Christian Church, PO Box 37, Knightstown, IN 46148. Condolences and memories of George may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com.