Jeffrey
Jeffrey Atkins
Jeffrey S. Atkins of Plainwell lost his battle with multiple myeloma at the University of Michigan Hospital at 2:20 p.m., Saturday, August 2, 2014. He was diagnosed with cancer on his birthday in 2010. Jeff had helped set up the local Relay for Life and had participated for many years. Jeff was born November 12, 1960 in Michigan City, IN to Earl Atkins and Lena Stephens. Jeff had worked for TruHeat in Allegan for many years before going to work most recently with Roskam in Grand Rapids. He served in the Michigan National Guard for 20 years. Jeff was a long time member of the Bittersweet Ski Patrol; had run marathons in Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and many other marathons. In his leisure time he enjoyed woodturning, especially turning bowls and pens on the lathe; kayaking, fishing and playing volleyball.
Surviving are his parents, Lena Atkins of Plainwell, Earl (Kathleen) Atkins of Plainwell; a brother Rodney (Amy) Atkins of Portage, a sister Wanda (Eric) Lohrenz of California; a step-brother, Chad Atkins of Plainwell; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. According to his wishes cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at the Gun Plain Township Hall, 381 8th St., Plainwell, MI
Contributions in memory of Jeff may be made to
Relay for Life
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Jeffrey Atkins
Condolence Messages
Anita Dominique
August 4, 2014 at 10:52 am
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. I have many fond memories of Jeff from work at TruHeat and from the all-nighters at the Relay for Life. I saw him at WMCC in the last year, always with a smile on his face; he fought a good fight! RIP Jeff!
Reply
Terri Burnell
August 4, 2014 at 7:38 pm
I have some very fond memory’s of working side by side with Jeff at Tru-Heat and at the relay for life. My prayers go out to his friends and family. RIP Jeff.
Reply
Jody Osborn
August 4, 2014 at 9:26 pm
Jeff was the kind of guy who left an impression. He was remarkable at figuring out how things work, he loved a challenge. I can remember how excited he was when he got his electrical journeyman’s card from the UAW. It took quite some time for him to receive it, but it finally came through. Jeff took his job at TruHeat very seriously, having perfect attendance throughout his tenure there. He set a good example for all of his co-worker’s. Jeff was liked by all who knew him. May our Father bring peace to your family at this difficult time. I know that God has prepared a special place for this special man. Jeff, may you find eternal peace in his Kingdom.
Reply
Aunt Susie
August 4, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Jeff was our superman. He was an inspiration to his entire family. Courageous, adventurous, and creative he made the very best of every day. He ended his life with a smile and with the heart of a champion. Love u Jeff. You will be missed.
Reply
kristin taylor
August 4, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Jeff was a great person, brother, son, and uncle all the way around RIP jeff
Reply
Wanda
August 5, 2014 at 12:20 am
Miss you big brother. I bet you are already skiing some epic mountain in heaven. Love you!
Reply
Amy
August 5, 2014 at 2:20 pm
I Miss You my new Brother Jeff that my Brother Glenn Harris sent to me from heaven. Now they both are in Heaven together playing games, working on all kinds of things. they both are Greatly Missed by Everybody. RIP Jeff Love You!
Reply
Aunt Joy
August 8, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Jeff is the strongest man I’ve ever known. Throughout his illness, I know he must have been in tremendous pain, but not once did he complain. He handled it with such grace and dignity that you wouldn’t fathom he was suffering such agony. We exchanged several emails during those years and he visited Indianapolis often, I cherish those correspondences and times we were able to spend together, especially at Christmas. He would always say “It’ll be OK”, well Jeff you are OK now and skiing on a cloud while smiling down on us!
Reply
Daleena Boles
August 11, 2014 at 4:07 pm
I never got to meet Jeff i knew him as “Dusty” we played a farm game together on the internet, He helped me fix my heater over the phone it wasnt blowing heat and it was rt down cold here in Indiana too. GOD BLESS THIS MAN! He is a sweetheart 100%. I wish i could have met him as much as we talked. I will one day~ And it going to be wonderful.
And Bless the family you had a wonderful person in your world and also us online gamers.{ XOX for Jeff }
Reply
Shelley Henderson
August 11, 2014 at 4:28 pm
I knew your beloved Jeff from a game we played together on the internet. I knew him as Dusty and I wish to pass my deepest and sincere thoughts to his loved ones. He talked of you all often, bragged about great meals and mouth watering pies. He valued everyone in his family and often shared how important you all were. I am sorry for your loss and blessed to have shared a small part of his enormous life.
Reply
Missy from BigFarm
August 11, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Such a great loss for us still here on Earth. Such a great gain for Paradise. Missing you.
Missy
Reply
Anna Hatch
August 11, 2014 at 11:22 pm
I played Big Farm with Jeff and we enjoyed many cups of coffee in the morning while we harvested our crops. I have missed his a lot since he felt he had to quit. I will always remember him for his positive approach to life and the quick come backs. He is going to missed by all who played with him. Rest in Peace my friend.
Anna Hatch
Saskatchewan Canada
Reply
Amy Atkins
August 14, 2014 at 6:02 pm
If you have left a message about Jeff could you email me so the family could get to talk to you about Jeff it would be a great thing for you to share your thought and memories with His family . My email is
missashj26@aol.com
Thank You
Amy
Reply
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Surviving are his parents, Lena Atkins of Plainwell, Earl (Kathleen) Atkins of Plainwell; a brother Rodney (Amy) Atkins of Portage, a sister Wanda (Eric) Lohrenz of California; a step-brother, Chad Atkins of Plainwell; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. According to his wishes cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at the Gun Plain Township Hall, 381 8th St., Plainwell, MI
Contributions in memory of Jeff may be made to
Relay for Life
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Jeffrey Atkins
Condolence Messages
Anita Dominique
August 4, 2014 at 10:52 am
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. I have many fond memories of Jeff from work at TruHeat and from the all-nighters at the Relay for Life. I saw him at WMCC in the last year, always with a smile on his face; he fought a good fight! RIP Jeff!
Reply
Terri Burnell
August 4, 2014 at 7:38 pm
I have some very fond memory’s of working side by side with Jeff at Tru-Heat and at the relay for life. My prayers go out to his friends and family. RIP Jeff.
Reply
Jody Osborn
August 4, 2014 at 9:26 pm
Jeff was the kind of guy who left an impression. He was remarkable at figuring out how things work, he loved a challenge. I can remember how excited he was when he got his electrical journeyman’s card from the UAW. It took quite some time for him to receive it, but it finally came through. Jeff took his job at TruHeat very seriously, having perfect attendance throughout his tenure there. He set a good example for all of his co-worker’s. Jeff was liked by all who knew him. May our Father bring peace to your family at this difficult time. I know that God has prepared a special place for this special man. Jeff, may you find eternal peace in his Kingdom.
Reply
Aunt Susie
August 4, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Jeff was our superman. He was an inspiration to his entire family. Courageous, adventurous, and creative he made the very best of every day. He ended his life with a smile and with the heart of a champion. Love u Jeff. You will be missed.
Reply
kristin taylor
August 4, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Jeff was a great person, brother, son, and uncle all the way around RIP jeff
Reply
Wanda
August 5, 2014 at 12:20 am
Miss you big brother. I bet you are already skiing some epic mountain in heaven. Love you!
Reply
Amy
August 5, 2014 at 2:20 pm
I Miss You my new Brother Jeff that my Brother Glenn Harris sent to me from heaven. Now they both are in Heaven together playing games, working on all kinds of things. they both are Greatly Missed by Everybody. RIP Jeff Love You!
Reply
Aunt Joy
August 8, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Jeff is the strongest man I’ve ever known. Throughout his illness, I know he must have been in tremendous pain, but not once did he complain. He handled it with such grace and dignity that you wouldn’t fathom he was suffering such agony. We exchanged several emails during those years and he visited Indianapolis often, I cherish those correspondences and times we were able to spend together, especially at Christmas. He would always say “It’ll be OK”, well Jeff you are OK now and skiing on a cloud while smiling down on us!
Reply
Daleena Boles
August 11, 2014 at 4:07 pm
I never got to meet Jeff i knew him as “Dusty” we played a farm game together on the internet, He helped me fix my heater over the phone it wasnt blowing heat and it was rt down cold here in Indiana too. GOD BLESS THIS MAN! He is a sweetheart 100%. I wish i could have met him as much as we talked. I will one day~ And it going to be wonderful.
And Bless the family you had a wonderful person in your world and also us online gamers.{ XOX for Jeff }
Reply
Shelley Henderson
August 11, 2014 at 4:28 pm
I knew your beloved Jeff from a game we played together on the internet. I knew him as Dusty and I wish to pass my deepest and sincere thoughts to his loved ones. He talked of you all often, bragged about great meals and mouth watering pies. He valued everyone in his family and often shared how important you all were. I am sorry for your loss and blessed to have shared a small part of his enormous life.
Reply
Missy from BigFarm
August 11, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Such a great loss for us still here on Earth. Such a great gain for Paradise. Missing you.
Missy
Reply
Anna Hatch
August 11, 2014 at 11:22 pm
I played Big Farm with Jeff and we enjoyed many cups of coffee in the morning while we harvested our crops. I have missed his a lot since he felt he had to quit. I will always remember him for his positive approach to life and the quick come backs. He is going to missed by all who played with him. Rest in Peace my friend.
Anna Hatch
Saskatchewan Canada
Reply
Amy Atkins
August 14, 2014 at 6:02 pm
If you have left a message about Jeff could you email me so the family could get to talk to you about Jeff it would be a great thing for you to share your thought and memories with His family . My email is
missashj26@aol.com
Thank You
Amy
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
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At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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