Barbara J. Atkinson

Barbara was born January 21, 1937 in Dearborn, MI, to the late Max and Elizabeth (Stamm) Debbelt. She grew up in Omaha, NB before spending some time in Chicago working for Northwest Airlines taking flight reservations. She then returned to Columbus to help her mother run a bar where she eventually met the man she would be married to for over 50 years, Paul B. Atkinson, who preceded her in death in 2012. Together they had a son, Paul C. Atkinson, who survives along with his wife Amy and their sons Ryan and Nolan. She is also survived by a brother-in-law and several sisters-in-law.

Barbara was at one time a secretary for Johnson Park and Eastmoor Middle Schools before working at Eastland Mall Lazarus. She went on to graduate from Ohio Dominican with an associate’s degree in library science and went to work for World Harvest in their library from where she retired. She and Paul were of the original members of Redeemer Lutheran Church and active throughout their lives.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 4, 2016 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., from 4-7PM. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1555 S. James Rd. at 1PM. Friends may visit prior to the service at the church beginning at 12PM. Pastor F. Allen Debelak will officiate and burial will follow at Glen Rest Memorial Estate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church or The Ohio State University Department of Neurology 395 W. 12th Ave., Room 740 Columbus 43210.