Owen "Gene" E. Atchison

Owen E. “Gene” Atchison, age 84, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Colmery-O'Neill Veterans Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas. He was born on Wednesday, November 22, 1925, in Pomona, Kansas. He was the son of Murrel Owen and Betty Ann (Martin) Atchison. He was a near lifelong resident of Franklin County. Gene attended schools in the Pomona area. He was a heavy equipment operator, working for Clark Construction, and Fogle Quarry Co., both of Ottawa. In January of 1944, Gene enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. He was serving as Private 1st Class when honorably discharged in October of 1945, due to combat wounds. His tour of duty included Battle of the Bulge, Northern France, Rhineland, and Ardennes, receiving decorations and citations for his heroic action and courage under fire, including Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and ETO Ribbon with 3 Bronze Service Stars. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, and We Care Ministry, both of Ottawa. On October 2, 1953, Gene was united in marriage with Shirley June Fish in Lawrence, Kansas. She preceded him in death on July 17, 2009. He is survived by by his: Daughter-Penny Weems and her husband, Dean, of Ottawa, KS; Daughter-Peggy Lear and her husband, Mike, of Ottawa, KS; Son-Floyd Atchison and his wife, Alisha, of Ottawa, KS; Son-Handford Atchison and his wife, Janet, of Ottawa, KS; Son-Clyde Atchison and his wife, Dinah, of Ottawa, KS; Fourteen - Grandchildren; Seventeen - Gt.Grandchildren and Two - Gt.Gt.Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his: Wife-Shirley June (Fish) Atchison; Parents-Murrel Owen and Betty Ann (Martin) Atchison; Sister-Mildred Cockman and Granddaughter-Maria Lear. SERVICES: Cremation is planned. Graveside services and inurnment will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, July 30, 2010, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Miami County, Kansas. CEMETERY: Pleasant Valley Cemetery, K-68 Highway in Miami County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to V.F.W. Memorial Post #5901, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.