Joseph “Joe” Atkinson, 92, of DuBois, died Nov. 15, 2011 at Christ the King Manor.
Joe was born in DuBois on March 30, 1919, a son of the late Leonard and Mary Lampe Atkinson. He graduated from Sandy High before entering the United States Army Air Force. Joe served during WWII as a 1st Lieutenant. While a fighter pilot with the Ninth Air Force in Europe, he received the Purple Heart and awarded the Air Medal with three Silver Oak Leaf Clusters and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with two battle stars. Joe retired after 20 years from the United States Air Force Reserve with the rank of Major.
Joe was a Certified Diesel Mechanic and had been employed with Edwards Transit. He later worked for Penn-Traffic and retired in 1994.
Joe was a member of the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ where he was a member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher and Consistory Member. He was a member of the DuBois Rifle Range and enjoyed camping, traveling, gardening, and hunting.
Surviving is a son: Richard Atkinson and his wife, Marianne of DuBois; two daughters: Barbara Ralston and her husband, Jerry of Treasure Lake and Betty Lou Kopshina and her husband, Roger of DuBois; ten grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Also surviving is a brother: Kenneth Atkinson of DuBois and a son-in-law: Harry Robinson of Wellsboro.
Preceding Joe in death are his parents; his wife, Shirley Mae Provin Atkinson whom he married in Texas on July 25, 1943 and passed away in DuBois on March 21, 2011; a daughter, Mary Jo Robinson; a great grandson, Tyler Sebring and a brother, Frederick Atkinson.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 19 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, DuBois with his pastor, Rev. Robert Newell officiating. Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded by the DuBois Area Honor Guard.
Friends will received from 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 7 to 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Mohney-Yargar Funeral Chapel, DuBois. An additional viewing will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 13 N. High St., DuBois, PA 15801; Christ the King Manor, 1100 W. Long Ave., DuBois, PA 15801 or DRMC Hospice, 100 Hospital Ave., DuBois, PA 15801.
Online memorial tributes may be made at www.mohney-yargarfunealchapel.com.