EILEEN T. ADKINS

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.