Atkinson, Roy T.

Roy T. Atkinson, 84, of Delhi, died Dec. 15, 2009 at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a short illness.

Family will greet friends 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Clifton-Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Earlville. Cremains will be scattered at a later date.

Roy was born Oct. 28, 1925 in rural Delaware County, the son of Roy L. and Agnes (Burns) Atkinson. He graduated from Lamont High School in 1942. In 1948, Roy married Lavon Thomas and they later divorced. In 1974, Roy married Betty McElligott and they later divorced. Roy farmed for five years before working for the Arlington and Maquoketa Valley Creameries. Roy retired in 1987 from Associated Milk Producers in Arlington. Following retirement, Roy drove tour bus for Iowa Coaches of Dubuque.

Roy served as a city councilman for six years then as Mayor for 12 years for the city of Delhi. He was a member of the Lions Club where he had served as president. He was president and co-founder of Maquoketa Valley Alliance.

Roy is survived by five children, Sandra (Bill) Merritt of Center Point, Dennis Atkinson of Loveland, Colo., Daniel (Donna) Atkinson of Dubuque, Mary (Steve) Ohl of Independence, and Mark (Cathi) Atkinson of Olin; six stepchildren, Susan Sanford of Manchester, Teresa “Terri” Armstrong of Cedar Rapids, Patricia “Patti” (Jeff) Boge of Center Point, Russell (Denise) McElligott of Quasqueton, Darrell (Niki) McElligott of Coggon and Mary Strowmatt of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Donald (Marilyn) Atkinson of Ryan; one sister-in-law, Velma Atkinson of Edgewood; 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Agnes Atkinson; six sisters, Edith Washburn, Ruth Whitman, Alice Davis, Florence Sharp, Mabel Reiger, and Lois Connor; and one brother, Francis Atkinson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Maquoketa Valley Alliance, P.O. Box 14, Delhi, IA 52223.

Please sign the guest book for Roy at under obituaries.