Evertt Atkinson, 102, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 4:05 am April 20, 2025 at his home. He was born June 5, 1922 in Mount Vernon to the late Emery Pearl and Hallie Winifred (Moore) Atkinson. Evertt married Doris (McCauley) Atkinson on December 3, 1943 in Luke Field, Arizona. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on April 24, 2009.
Evertt is survived by his son, Dennis Atkinson and wife, Jennifer of Commerce Township, Michigan; daughters, Ruth Ann Wheeler and husband, Jim of Mount Vernon and Becky Hill and husband, Dean of Opdyke, Illinois; grandchildren, Rahn Clarke and wife, Koletta, Caryn Harris, Kelsey Wojtowicz and husband, John Paul, Levi Hill and fiancée, Ashlee Askew, Corey Hill and fiancée, Taylor Nowitzke, Veronica Sanchez, Dakotah Atkinson and fiancée, Kathryn Lyons, and Justin Atkinson; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers, Marc Atkinson and Don Atkinson; sister-in-law, Clarice Hollis; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and home health care workers, Pam, Flo, and Faye.
In addition to his wife and parents, Evertt was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Percy Atkinson.
Evertt was born on the family farm in Webber Township. Farming became his passion, he worked the family farm his entire life. When WWII came long, he heard Uncle Sam’s call and headed off to war and served in the Army Air Corps aboard both a B-17 and B-29 Superfortress bomber. Evertt stayed connected with his wartime experience as he was a lifetime member of the Commerative Air Force, Experimental Aviation Association, served as a Hospice Veteran to Veteran volunteer and in 2018 was part of the Veteran’s Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.
Evertt was very active in civic and charitable organizations. He served as 4H leader, was on the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board, was Chairman of the Board for the United Methodist Childrens’ Home, he helped build the very first Habitat for Humanity house in Jefferson County, he was active with the Jefferson County Historical Society, he was a Mentor for Kids and was a very active member of Epworth United Methodist Church where he served on many boards and committees. In 2000, he was honored as a Senior Saint in Jefferson County.
In 1965 Evertt retired as a dairy farmer and began working for Sturdi Built, a company he managed until 1989.
Faith, family and friends were all important to Evertt. He had a vast amount of knowledge of local history and events and enjoyed sharing these things. His life was marked by his service to our community and although he will be greatly missed, his legacy will always be remembered by those lives he touched.
A Visitation will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:00 am at Hughey Funeral Home with Reverend Victor Long officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery. Memorials may be made in Evertt’s honor to the Jefferson County Historical Society or the Epworth UMC Food Pantry and will be accepted at https://everloved.com/life-of/evertt-atkinson/ or at the funeral home.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.