Russell "Gene" Eugene Adkins

Russell Eugene "Gene" Adkins, age 88, of Centerville, Ohio passed away peacefully in his sleep at 2:10 am on Friday, May 23, 2025 following a brief illness. The angels came and escorted him into Heaven.

He is survived by his children, Sharon (Joe) Peloquin, Susan (Jack) Eiselstein, Dr. Stephen (Connie) Adkins; six grandchildren, Michael (Courtney) Houts, Bethany (Chad) Eckard, Emily (Robert) Meyers, Laura (Rick) Leeman, Stephen Peloquin and Logan Adkins; and 14 great grandchildren, Cana, Elin, Abram, Gwenyth, Jeb and Wells Eckard; Evelyn, Roman, Josephine and Phoebe Meyers; Shepherd, Rachel, Patrick, Titus (and one on the way) Leeman. Step grandchildren include Ashley (Jesse) Herring, and great grandchildren, Aubrey and Gabriel; and Brooke (Paul) Pollard and great grandchild, Joey. Other survivors include his twin brother, Gerald Adkins of PA, sister, Lois H. Goad of MO, and brother, Charles Y. Coy of IL, as well as 5 nieces and nephews, Cindy Matthews, Dr. Cherie Adkins, Erik Coy, Dustin Coy and David Goad. He is also survived by long-time friends, Roy and Alice Rice of Portsmouth, OH and their daughters, Beth Rice and Dr. Barbara Warnock.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Jo Anne (Ingles), an infant granddaughter, Jillianne Houts,as well as sister-in-law Carolyn W. Adkins. Both of his parents also preceded him.

Born in Norwood, OH Gene later lived in Portsmouth, OH where he graduated from high school. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio operator. He wed Jo Anne (Ingles) in December of 1956 and moved to Troy, Oh to raise a family. Gene worked in the construction trades as a lather for 12 years in and around Dayton. He attended Sinclair College and worked for a short time for NCR. Then, joined GTE, now Verizon, and worked for the company 26 years before retiring.

Gene was a devoted member of various churches over the years and enjoyed serving wherever needed. He accepted Jesus as his Savior at age 17 in the Nazarene denomination. Many years were spent in Grace Missionary Church in Celina, OH and he was more recently a member of First Baptist Kettering Church.

Dad was a storyteller and outgoing to meet folks and he will be sorely missed by many people. He loved his family, especially his grands and great-grands. He was grateful for Samantha, Jenny and Andrea, the gals that have taken care of him for the last year, so he could remain in his home. He called them "The Cinderellas". They have truly been a blessing to him and have become family to us.

A visitation for Gene will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 4701 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45429. Funeral services will follow immediately beginning at 12:00 PM. Burial will be in Miami Valley Memory Gardens.