Mary M. (Eshleman) Atkins

Mary M. (Eshleman) Atkins, 88, of Fairview Township, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at her residence, with family by her side. She was the daughter of the late Babe and Helen (Beamer) Eshleman, born on November 25, 1935 in New Market.

Mary attended New Cumberland High School, and she was always appreciative of her family, the community where she grew up, and all God provided her in life. She was a beautician by profession, going to school locally and opening her own business at her home. Mary worked for a time at Resistance Company, Harrisburg, manufacturing resistors, and she also spent several years as a waitress. She and her late husband, Gene, also owned and operated Rayjun Restaurant, Dillsburg, as well as a stand at the Silver Spring Flea Market where they sold anything from antiques to Griswald frying pans.

Mary was multi-talented, but always modest. She was a gifted artist, specializing in watercolor, and she had a knack for picking up an instrument and just “figuring it out.” She started with the accordion when she was in her early teens; later she learned to play the piano, guitar and harmonica. Camping excursions with family were the best, with memorable trips to Maine, North Carolina and Prince Edward Island. Whether they took the “jitney” to another state, or just a skip and a jump away to Pinchot Park, laughing and carrying on with her family was a constant (as was the family mascot – a skunk).

She enjoyed feeding others and spent many hours with her sisters around the big iron kettle making chicken corn soup, or stomping sauerkraut on special occasions. She was a woman of faith and longtime member of Rohler’s Assembly of God, Dover. Nothing brought Mary joy like sitting around at family get-togethers or holiday dinners, telling stories, laughing, and embracing those she loved most. Her fun-loving sense of humor and genuine kindness will be missed but not forgotten.

Surviving is her sister, Virginia L. Sellers of Dillsburg; a sister-in-law, Frances Eshleman; nieces and nephews, Davy, Mike, Wally, Linda, Sharon, Kenny, Tina, Danny, Lisa, Debbie, Bonnie; and Gene’s grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, SFC Eugene D. Atkins, USA, Ret; siblings, Walter Eshleman, Patty Nealey and David Eshleman; brothers-in-law, Bill Nealey and Johnny G. Sellers; a nephew, Mark E. Sellers; and Gene’s three children.

A public funeral service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland, with a public viewing taking place from 10AM until services begin in the funeral home. A committal service will be held at 1PM in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to her church: Rohler’s Assembly of God, 761 Rohlers Church Road, Dover, PA 17315.