Raised in Benton Co. Indiana in what has come to be known, among the family, as Atkinson manor. He grew up working the family farm and graduated from Oxford High School in 1951.
He joined the Army in the same year and served three years, mostly in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Norma Hinton in 1952. By the end of his service, he had a Daughter and would soon add another daughter and son by 1958. He worked a few odd jobs including collecting payphones and got his first job in the music industry at MaHara's Music. He would later go on to buy Weast Music Co. Inc. Old Joe became a fixture in the downtown business district of Lafayette, In. Serving much of North and Central Indiana, he loved his friends in the industry which included many big schools. Purdue University being one of many awarding winning organizations. Norma passed away in 1978 and Joe married Erna Bender in 1979. Erna had a daughter Joe would later adopt. In 1980 the already growing Atkinson family welcomed another son. Joe retired in 2003 and sold Weast Music. Dave Lepla, Purdues Band Director, stated in an interview that, Lafayette was losing an institution. A bitter sweet moment in his life, he turned his attention to his family, including many grand children and great-grand children and beloved garden. Ever the business man, Joe and Erna bought a Pizza King Franchise (dates to come). They ran it together for a few years until his health started failing. At age 80, 2013, he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Old Joe passed away at the age of 83 the day after Christmas 2016. This is a small description of a huge personalities life. So much to say, so little space. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his loving and kind demeanor and above all, that wonderful smile.
Obituary as seen in Lafayette Journal & Courier:
Joseph L. Atkinson
Joseph Lee Atkinson, 83, of Lafayette, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 at his home. He was born August 25, 1933, in Lafayette to the late Joseph and Wilma Anderson Atkinson. Joseph graduated from Oxford High School and was a Veteran of the Army during the Korean War. In 1952 he married Norma D Hinton and she preceded him in death in 1978. He then Married Erna Bender in 1979 and she survives. Joseph owned Weast Music Company retiring in 2003. He was a member of American Legion Post 11 and enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling and White Sox baseball. Surviving along with his wife are his daughters, Dianna E. Marshall of Buck Creek, Jeanne M. (Robb) Gaither of Flora, Amy M. Atkinson of Lafayette; sons, Joseph A. (Sandy) Atkinson, Stephen K. (Catrina) Atkinson all of Lafayette; 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and his dogs Elwood and Sheba. Also surviving are his brothers, Richard Atkinson of Lafayette, Robert (Dodie) Atkinson of Pine Village; and a sister, Carolyn (William) Hudson of Boswell. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Memorial service will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Pastor Terry Chase officiating.
He joined the Army in the same year and served three years, mostly in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Norma Hinton in 1952. By the end of his service, he had a Daughter and would soon add another daughter and son by 1958. He worked a few odd jobs including collecting payphones and got his first job in the music industry at MaHara's Music. He would later go on to buy Weast Music Co. Inc. Old Joe became a fixture in the downtown business district of Lafayette, In. Serving much of North and Central Indiana, he loved his friends in the industry which included many big schools. Purdue University being one of many awarding winning organizations. Norma passed away in 1978 and Joe married Erna Bender in 1979. Erna had a daughter Joe would later adopt. In 1980 the already growing Atkinson family welcomed another son. Joe retired in 2003 and sold Weast Music. Dave Lepla, Purdues Band Director, stated in an interview that, Lafayette was losing an institution. A bitter sweet moment in his life, he turned his attention to his family, including many grand children and great-grand children and beloved garden. Ever the business man, Joe and Erna bought a Pizza King Franchise (dates to come). They ran it together for a few years until his health started failing. At age 80, 2013, he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Old Joe passed away at the age of 83 the day after Christmas 2016. This is a small description of a huge personalities life. So much to say, so little space. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his loving and kind demeanor and above all, that wonderful smile.
Obituary as seen in Lafayette Journal & Courier:
Joseph L. Atkinson
Joseph Lee Atkinson, 83, of Lafayette, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 at his home. He was born August 25, 1933, in Lafayette to the late Joseph and Wilma Anderson Atkinson. Joseph graduated from Oxford High School and was a Veteran of the Army during the Korean War. In 1952 he married Norma D Hinton and she preceded him in death in 1978. He then Married Erna Bender in 1979 and she survives. Joseph owned Weast Music Company retiring in 2003. He was a member of American Legion Post 11 and enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling and White Sox baseball. Surviving along with his wife are his daughters, Dianna E. Marshall of Buck Creek, Jeanne M. (Robb) Gaither of Flora, Amy M. Atkinson of Lafayette; sons, Joseph A. (Sandy) Atkinson, Stephen K. (Catrina) Atkinson all of Lafayette; 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and his dogs Elwood and Sheba. Also surviving are his brothers, Richard Atkinson of Lafayette, Robert (Dodie) Atkinson of Pine Village; and a sister, Carolyn (William) Hudson of Boswell. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Memorial service will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Pastor Terry Chase officiating.
Raised in Benton Co. Indiana in what has come to be known, among the family, as Atkinson manor. He grew up working the family farm and graduated from Oxford High School in 1951.
He joined the Army in the same year and served three years, mostly in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Norma Hinton in 1952. By the end of his service, he had a Daughter and would soon add another daughter and son by 1958. He worked a few odd jobs including collecting payphones and got his first job in the music industry at MaHara's Music. He would later go on to buy Weast Music Co. Inc. Old Joe became a fixture in the downtown business district of Lafayette, In. Serving much of North and Central Indiana, he loved his friends in the industry which included many big schools. Purdue University being one of many awarding winning organizations. Norma passed away in 1978 and Joe married Erna Bender in 1979. Erna had a daughter Joe would later adopt. In 1980 the already growing Atkinson family welcomed another son. Joe retired in 2003 and sold Weast Music. Dave Lepla, Purdues Band Director, stated in an interview that, Lafayette was losing an institution. A bitter sweet moment in his life, he turned his attention to his family, including many grand children and great-grand children and beloved garden. Ever the business man, Joe and Erna bought a Pizza King Franchise (dates to come). They ran it together for a few years until his health started failing. At age 80, 2013, he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Old Joe passed away at the age of 83 the day after Christmas 2016. This is a small description of a huge personalities life. So much to say, so little space. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his loving and kind demeanor and above all, that wonderful smile.
Obituary as seen in Lafayette Journal & Courier:
Joseph L. Atkinson
Joseph Lee Atkinson, 83, of Lafayette, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 at his home. He was born August 25, 1933, in Lafayette to the late Joseph and Wilma Anderson Atkinson. Joseph graduated from Oxford High School and was a Veteran of the Army during the Korean War. In 1952 he married Norma D Hinton and she preceded him in death in 1978. He then Married Erna Bender in 1979 and she survives. Joseph owned Weast Music Company retiring in 2003. He was a member of American Legion Post 11 and enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling and White Sox baseball. Surviving along with his wife are his daughters, Dianna E. Marshall of Buck Creek, Jeanne M. (Robb) Gaither of Flora, Amy M. Atkinson of Lafayette; sons, Joseph A. (Sandy) Atkinson, Stephen K. (Catrina) Atkinson all of Lafayette; 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and his dogs Elwood and Sheba. Also surviving are his brothers, Richard Atkinson of Lafayette, Robert (Dodie) Atkinson of Pine Village; and a sister, Carolyn (William) Hudson of Boswell. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Memorial service will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Pastor Terry Chase officiating.
He joined the Army in the same year and served three years, mostly in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Norma Hinton in 1952. By the end of his service, he had a Daughter and would soon add another daughter and son by 1958. He worked a few odd jobs including collecting payphones and got his first job in the music industry at MaHara's Music. He would later go on to buy Weast Music Co. Inc. Old Joe became a fixture in the downtown business district of Lafayette, In. Serving much of North and Central Indiana, he loved his friends in the industry which included many big schools. Purdue University being one of many awarding winning organizations. Norma passed away in 1978 and Joe married Erna Bender in 1979. Erna had a daughter Joe would later adopt. In 1980 the already growing Atkinson family welcomed another son. Joe retired in 2003 and sold Weast Music. Dave Lepla, Purdues Band Director, stated in an interview that, Lafayette was losing an institution. A bitter sweet moment in his life, he turned his attention to his family, including many grand children and great-grand children and beloved garden. Ever the business man, Joe and Erna bought a Pizza King Franchise (dates to come). They ran it together for a few years until his health started failing. At age 80, 2013, he was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Old Joe passed away at the age of 83 the day after Christmas 2016. This is a small description of a huge personalities life. So much to say, so little space. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his loving and kind demeanor and above all, that wonderful smile.
Obituary as seen in Lafayette Journal & Courier:
Joseph L. Atkinson
Joseph Lee Atkinson, 83, of Lafayette, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 at his home. He was born August 25, 1933, in Lafayette to the late Joseph and Wilma Anderson Atkinson. Joseph graduated from Oxford High School and was a Veteran of the Army during the Korean War. In 1952 he married Norma D Hinton and she preceded him in death in 1978. He then Married Erna Bender in 1979 and she survives. Joseph owned Weast Music Company retiring in 2003. He was a member of American Legion Post 11 and enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling and White Sox baseball. Surviving along with his wife are his daughters, Dianna E. Marshall of Buck Creek, Jeanne M. (Robb) Gaither of Flora, Amy M. Atkinson of Lafayette; sons, Joseph A. (Sandy) Atkinson, Stephen K. (Catrina) Atkinson all of Lafayette; 18 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and his dogs Elwood and Sheba. Also surviving are his brothers, Richard Atkinson of Lafayette, Robert (Dodie) Atkinson of Pine Village; and a sister, Carolyn (William) Hudson of Boswell. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Memorial service will be at 7:00 pm on Friday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Pastor Terry Chase officiating.
Gravesite Details
The grave marker is in pristine condition and has both Joe and Norma's info as he was laid next to her.
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