Delmar Gene Adkins, 83, of Utica, joined his parents in heaven on November 29, 2025. He passed away at the Heartford House surrounded by his family. He was born June 5, 1942 in Jeffersonville, Indiana to the late Eugene and Ritchie Coleman Adkins. Delmar graduated from Livermore High School in 1961. His mother, Ritchie, died of cancer during his senior year. He joined the U.S. Army in 1961 and served three years at Fort Knox and Germany. After an honorable discharge in 1964 from the Army, he met his wife, Donnita Patton. They dated for three months and married on October 10, 1964.
Delmar worked at Field Packing County in shipping and as a truck driver for 40 years. He had also worked at Kidd Fiberglass. Delmar was a member of Green Brier Baptist Church. He was a truck driver in the National Guard. He joined and retired from the Army Reserve as a cook. During Desert Storm, he was stationed at Fort Knox for two weeks. He enjoyed mowing five acres on his John Deere Zero Turn and bushhogging on his Zetor tractor. But most of all, he loved playing with his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry Adkins (Gail), Johnnie Adkins (Ellie), and Doug Adkins (Dana); and a nephew, Matthew Adkins.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donnita Patton Adkins; son, Richard Adkins (fiancé, Cristal); daughter, Donna Adkins Chapman (Tim); grandchildren, Emily Roidl (Tom) of Germany and Kyle Chapman (Chelsea) of Evansville, Madison Chapman of Owensboro, and Michael Chapman of Evansville; great-grandson, Waylon Walker Timothy Chapman; step-great-grandchildren, Milleenah Tenbarge and Isaiah Holland; nieces, Amanda Adkins of Owensboro and Cyndi Cook of Philpot; sister-in-law, Janice Patton Marksberry (Alton) of Spice Knob; nephews, James Marksberry (Kaylen) and Jared Marksberry; and a double cousin, Roy Adkins.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation is from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.