MANSFIELD: Fred Edward Elkins, age 69, of Mansfield, Ohio died Saturday, May 18, 2013 at his home.

Born October 1, 1943 in Louisa, Kentucky to Charles and Julie (Mounts) Elkins.

Fred was a charitable and respected Mansfield area resident for 64 years. He retired from General Motors where he worked as a forklift operator and inspector.
He was a member of the UAW Union Local #549 and a veteran of the US Army.

Fred looked forward to working in his garden, spending time with his family and close friends and taking Romeo for rides in his Chevy truck.
Known for his generosity, he would always help anyone in need.
He received great joy in taking the neighborhood kids in his Blazer to get ice cream.
An adventurous man with a big sense of humor, he enjoyed fishing, playing pool and boating.
Fred loved spontaneous trips and it was nothing for him and his wife to jump in the car and take off wherever the road would lead them.
He will be fondly remembered as a caring husband, wonderful dad and awesome grandpa.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bonnie (Dowdy) Elkins; two daughters, Julie Lambert and Carla Johnson (Mark Fitzpatrick); three grandchildren, Danielle, Tia and Paradise; four great grandchildren, McKenzie, Jaden, Charlize and Nicholas; a sister, Connie (Everett) Cook; one brother, Charles "Chuck" (Janet) Elkins; sisters-in-law, Judy (David) Mock and Brenda (Richard) Barton; brothers-in-law, Carl (Della) Dowdy and Jake "Leroy" (Francine) Dowdy; numerous nieces, nephews and special fishing buddies.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Don Elkins and sister, Violet Hanworth.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the Barkdull Funeral Home in Shelby, Ohio. Rev. Keith Carlisle of the First Wesleyan Church will officiate with burial in Springmill Cemetery.
Military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.
Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. A candle light service will be held 9:30 PM Wednesday at Peyton Community Park located between Nestor Dr. and Pat Lane in Mansfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Care Hospice, 775 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, OH 44907 or the fund established to help the three Cleveland girls who were kidnapped, the Cleveland Courage Fund, c/o Cleveland Foundation, 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 1300, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

On line condolences may be made at www.barkdullfuneralhome.com




Published in the News Journal on May 19, 2013