Michael "Mike" Adkins

Michael L. Adkins, 68, of Great Falls, passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 30 of a heart attack at the Benefis Healthcare emergency room.A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home Hospitality Room. Everyone who knew Mike is welcome. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Mike was born on September 6, 1947 in Huntington, West Virginia, and lived in Wurtland, Kentucky during his school years. After graduating from Wurtland High School in 1965, he joined the US Air Force.He served 8 years in the Air Force, spending time in Texas, Arizona, South Carolina, Thailand, Viet Nam and finally Malmstrom AFB. While serving at Malmstrom, he developed a love for Montana and decided to make it his home.In 1968, he married Vera Rae Thacker in Greenup, Kentucky, and they had 47 wonderful years together. They shared a love of the outdoors, clocks, beagles and each other. In recent years, they had found their perfect getaway and had been planning to return to the Shire of Montana again this spring, and to do some camping and golfing this summer.He spent a few years doing TV and other electronic repair at Andys (now Eklunds) in Great Falls and at White Refrigeration. He eventually started working at the Great Falls Clinic as the head of the maintenance department and spent many years there, developing life-long friendships. He retired from the Clinic eight years ago and had enjoyed spending time on the golf course with friends, doing woodworking (especially building large scale toy trains and trucks), lots of reading, and always keeping his vehicles spotless. He loved clocks, so he spent a few afternoons a week at The World of Time, learning how to repair old clocks with owner and close friend, Rick Enge.Over the years, he spent weekends camping, hiking, dirt bike riding, snowmobiling and motorcycling, enjoying the Montana outdoors every chance he got. He belonged to the Great Falls Chapter of Star Riders and he volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Crisis Line, CERT and Vets4Vets.He is survived by his wife Vera Rae of Great Falls; sister Mitzie Adkins of Raceland, KY; goddaughters Tammi (David) Strandberg and Kimberlee Gould (Dan Burk), both of Helena; five god-grandchildren, Nicole, Nevada and Shawn Strandberg, Austin and Tanner Burk, all of Helena; mother-in-law Maxine Thacker of Grayson, KY; sisters-in-law Marian (Danny) Adkins of Grayson, KY and Jeanie (Rowland) Hill of Brownsville, TX; brother-in-law Jim (Robin) Thacker of Franklin Furnace, OH; niece Christy Skaggs; great niece Raven Skaggs; great nephew Jaydan Skaggs, all of Grayson, KY; four nieces Marjorie, Jaime, Tara and Bella; great nephew Jaxon, great nieces Elora and Willow; two best buddies: beagles Jethro and Ziva; and countless friends too numerous to mention whose friendship he treasured more than they could ever know.He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Evelyn Adkins; brother Danny D. Adkins; father-in-law Samuel Thacker; and great nephew Daniel Skaggs.Memorials may be made to Forever Home Beagle Rescue (www.fhbr.orgclick on the ABOUT US tab then hit the Donate button in the top box on right), Great Falls Senior Center or the charity of your choice.