Joel Wayne Adkins

Joel Wayne Adkins, 83, died peacefully on May 4, 2016 in Springfield, Illinois. Joel was born in 1932 and raised in West Hamlin, West Virginia. He was the son of the late Fletcher and Virgie Triplett Adkins. Joel graduated from Guyan Valley High School in 1949, attended Marshall College, and served in the Navy. He received both B.A. and M.A. degrees from San Jose State College, and a Ph.D. in Biopsychology from the Brain Research Institute and Psychology Department at UCLA. He taught biopsychology at the University of Oregon and at the University of Illinois, Springfield, retiring as professor emeritus in 1999. Besides being a great father and role model for his two sons, he touched all those that knew him in a very special way, mostly by being a great listener, and by telling a wide variety of entertaining stories from his past. Those who knew Joel were well aware of his love of reading, art, photography, the outdoors, gardening, hiking, and tracing his family history. He was a big fan of all types of music, especially old-time country, bluegrass, and blues. He enjoyed his time in Illiopolis and was proud of his time on the library board there. He will be greatly missed. He was also preceded in death by an older brother, Paul Fletcher Adkins; an older sister, Freda Hedrick of Pasadena, Maryland; and his first wife, Sachiko Taki. He is survived by two sons, Mark Adkins (Jocelyne) of Oak Park, Illinois and Jeffrey Adkins (Tammy) of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Mark's son, Joel Adkins and Jeffrey's son and daughter, Spencer Adkins and Rachel Adkins; one sister, Ramona Dawson of Belmont, Michigan; one sister-in-law, Charlotte Clower Adkins of Charleston, West Virginia; fifteen nieces and nephews; and his former second wife, DeeAnn DeAvilla of Weed, California. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) in Joel's name.