March
23, 1931 - Jan. 17, 2010SOUTH BEND - Charles Atkins, lover of life, dreamer of dreams, and maker of music, passed away quietly in his sleep after an extended illness on January 17, 2010. Charles was born in Moberly, Mo., on March 23, 1931, subsequently moving to Richmond, Indiana, in 1944. He attended Ball State, later graduating from the IU School of Music in 1953 where he met the love of his life, Ruby "Ruth" Atkins, who survives. Upon graduating from IU, Charles and Ruth moved to South Bend where he taught clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone and trumpet to thousands of students (and all of his children) throughout the Michiana area for over 50 years. Whether in the classroom or his home on Peachtree Lane, Charles welcomed any and all who sought to learn. No one had a better ear or a more deaf ear. In later years Charles and Ruth realized their dream of retiring to the Myrtle Beach area where he lived until his passing. Charles is survived by his wife, Ruth, and sisters, Maxine Fox of Reno, Nevada, Mary Alice Bledsoe from Piqua, OH, and Norma Kruppa of Brookville, Fla. His children all survive as well, Eric (Barb) Atkins of South Bend, Rachelle (Sherman) Stebbins of Delta Junction, AK, Lisa (Bill) McCarthy of South Bend, Jeff (Aggie) Atkins of Chicago, Teresa (Victor) Jonikas of South Bend and David (Merideth) Atkins of Denver. Charles is also survived by 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Expressions of condolence may be e-mailed to lisamccathy@remax.net, re