Howard R. 'Sarge' Atkins

AIRVILLE - Howard R. “Sarge” Atkins, 89, of Lower Chanceford Township, died Thursday, May 23, 2013. He was the husband of the late Sara L. (Miller) Atkins. The couple was married June 5, 1948. A Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Salem United Methodist Church, 5042 Delta Road in Delta, with a visitation from 6-7 p.m. Mr. Richard Sharrock, C.L.M. will be officiating at the service. Burial will be private in church cemetery. Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place in Red Lion is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Atkins was born in Delta on October 4, 1923, the son of the late Preston E. Atkins and Elizabeth (Urey) Atkins. Mr. Atkins was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Delta. He was a member of the York County Garageman’s Association, Slate Ridge, MD American Legion post #182, Fawn Grove VFW, and was a life member of Loyal Order of the Moose Williamsport Lodge #145. He proudly served in both WWII and the Korean War and retired as a Master Sergeant from the US Air Force in 1964 after 22 years where he worked for 18 years as a Flight Mechanic. He also served in the CCC Camp in New Mexico during the depression. Mr. Atkins owned and operated Atkins Garage in Airville for 22 years and retired from Caterpillar in 1990 after 26 years of employment. Mr. Atkins leaves two sons, Howard R. Atkins, II and his wife JoAnn of Delta, Clarence Preston Atkins of Airville; two daughters, Susan L. Nissley and her husband Stephen of Sherman, ME, and Mary A. Wilson of Delta; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a brother Jay L. Atkins of Darlington, MD and a sister, Ruth Miller of Airville. He was preceded in death by seven brothers, Paul, John, Bud, Luther, Robert, Harold, and Donald Atkins and a sister, Lulu Dundore. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 5042 Delta Rd., Delta, PA 17314 or Hospice and Community Care, 224 S. Charles Way, York, PA 17403.