Harry Atkinson, Jr

Harry John Atkinson, Jr., of Woodstock, passed away, Wednesday, May 23, 2013, at Woodstock Hospice Facility (JourneyCare), surrounded by family.

He was born September 18, 1927 to Harry John Sr. and Lillian Josephine (nee Routa) Atkinson in Chicago.

During Harry’s younger years, he was an avid roller rink skater, wooden speed boat operator, and a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast accompanied by his future wife and a group of fellow Harley Riders. He developed a love for cars and trucks, possessing many collectible ones and carefully maintained them, along with his antique wooden boats, himself. Later, Registered Quarter Horses came into his life. Many horse shows were attended by the family when his daughter participated at enumerable fairs and horse shows. Being involved in showing horses dictated dressing in Western Wear which Harry lovingly accomplished.

He began his working career on a family friend’s farm during summer months, then worked for Parkside Dairy in Elgin which was family owned and later sold. Thereafter, he worked as a service attendant at Economy Oil Company in Elgin, servicing vehicles and driving a gasoline transport truck. Next, he worked at McBride Buick Garage, servicing vehicles for customers in the Elgin location; Steffan Brothers Construction Company of Carpentersville, driving gravel trucks of various sizes; and Redi-Mix Trucks. He retired from Suburban Ready Mix of Crystal Lake where driving a bulk cement tanker became his favorite. He was a member of Teamsters Local #330 his entire driving career.

Harry is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Lou (nee Schubbe) Atkinson; children, Harry John Atkinson III and the late Kimberly Kay (Richard) Flynn; grandchildren, Harry John Atkinson IV, Melissa Dawn Atkinson, Timothy Robert Atkinson and Abigail Lillian Atkinson, Jenna Maureen (Jeremy) Golnik, and Shawn Aaron Flynn; great- grandchildren, Guiness Sean Sonntag and Isis Kyrei Golnik; niece, Mary Alyce (the late Jerry) Fry; nephew, Robert Lincoln; and many cousins, many friends, co-workers, and special neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Lillian Alyce Atkinson Lincoln, his parents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held privately in the future.

Memorial donations in Harry’s honor may be made to the Oklahoma Tornado Victims, either through the Red Cross, www.redcross.org or the Salvation Army, www.salvationarmyusa.org, or to a charity of your choice.

Harry’s family would like to acknowledge JourneyCare Hospice for their extraordinary care.

To send online condolences to his family, visit www.davenportfamily.com. For information, please contact Davenport Family Funeral Home, 815-459-3411.

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