MOUNT VERNON — James E. Elkins Sr., 72, of Johnson Avenue, Mount Vernon, passed away Monday evening, Sept. 15, 2008, in the emergency room at Knox Community Hospital after a long illness.
He was born Jan. 2, 1936, near Grundy, Va., a son of the late John and Lucy (Hagy) Elkins. James was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. He was also an Army veteran and retired from Dana Corp. as an assembler.
James is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Linger) Elkins, whom he married March 11, 1970; sons, James (Melisa) Elkins of Mount Vernon, John Elkins of Orlando, Fla., and Donnie Elkins of Mount Vernon; a daughter, Shelley Elkins of Mount Vernon; a stepson, Steve Cottrell of Akron; a stepdaughter, Penny Epdet of Melbourne, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Roy Elkins of Maryland and Kenny Elkins of Mount Vernon; sister, Carol Beltz of Dover, Del.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, brothers, Oscar, Roosevelt and Jack Elkins, preceded James in death.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, 201 Newark Road, Mount Vernon, where funeral service will be Friday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Harry Miller will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. The Knox County Joint Veterans Council will provide military honors at the cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Ohio Diabetes Association, 1100 Dennison Ave., Columbus, OH 43201.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Mr. Elkins.

