D. Michael "Mike" Atkinson, 79, of Geneseo, formerly of Rock Island, died Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center, Geneseo.The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island. Burial is at Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. A luncheon at Two Rivers United Methodist Church, Rock Island will follow the committal service. Visitation is 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to World Vision.

Mike was born Oct. 23, 1934 in Rock Island, a son of Frederick and Frances Weinberger Atkinson. He married the love of his life, Jacquelyn Krueger, on May 27, 1956 at Rock Island First United Methodist Church, now known as Two Rivers UMC.

Mike graduated from Rock Island High School in 1952 and attended DeVry Technical Institute. He enlisted in the U.S. Army serving two years active duty with the Signal Corps and six years in the Army Reserve. Following his service in the army, Mike attended and graduated from Tri State College, Angola, IN, as an Electronic Engineer. He worked 17 years for the Bendix Corp., Davenport and retired in 1995 from Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co., where he worked for 17 years and was a field agent.

He was a long-time, active member of First United Methodist Church, Rock Island serving in many congregational leadership capacities and was a founding member of the Good News Sunday School Class. Mike served as a Cub Master and treasured his years as Chairman of the Frolic at Earl Hanson School, Rock Island. His greatest joy was his family and the times that they were together.

Mike had a beautiful, ready smile and a fondness for corny jokes which he repeated often and always made people laugh. After family, Mike's three loves were Jesus Christ, Johnny Cash and Billy Graham. He had a good eye and a steady hand making many signs, posters and other art. He created fantastic frolic games because he delighted in making children happy. In fact, he spent much of his life bringing smiles to the faces of the people he met. He was loved by many and will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie; children, Rev. Julia (Frank) Melgreen, Springfield, IL, Douglas (Rosimeri) Atkinson, Palos Heights, IL, and Susan Magerkurth, Osco, IL; grandchildren, Anna Sophia Melgreen, Jacksonville, IL, Cooper Melgreen, Rock Island, Spencer Melgreen and Kross Arnold, both of Springfield, Jeremy and Brandon Atkinson, Palos Heights, and C.J. and Taylor Magerkurth, Osco; his brother, Dave (Paula) Atkinson, Sacramento, CA; and three nieces, Elisabeth, Katie and Rachel. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Carole and LeeAnn Atkinson.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.