Antonia Atkinson

Antonia (Toni) M. Atkinson, nee Deleonibus, 88, of Danville, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Friday, March 8, 2019 at Liberty Estates in Danville. She was born on October 20, 1930, in Mola Di Bari, Italy, the daughter of Dominick and Candida (Pesce) Deleonibus. She married Gerald W. Atkinson on July 1, 1950, in Normal, Illinois. Her husband passed on October 9, 2000. She was also preceded in death by a son, Richard Michael, who passed in 1953.

Survivors include two daughters, Paula (David) Thomas of Fairmount, Illinois and Debbie (Scott) Vredenburg of St. Charles, Missouri, and one son, G. Scott Atkinson of Springfield, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Michael (Kristy) Johnson of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Andrew Johnson of Catlin, Illinois, Dominick Atkinson of Ames, Iowa, Aaron Vredenburg of St. Charles, Missouri, Jared (Abby) Vredenburg of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Leslie Vredenburg of St. Charles, Missouri, and two great granddaughters, Sawyer and Hadley Johnson of Glen Carbon, Illinois; sister, Ann (Jim) Guest; one niece, and two nephews in California.

Toni earned her Bachelors degree from Illinois State University in 1969 and began a 26 year elementary teaching career in Danville District 118, retiring in 1995.

Toni loved crafts including crochet, knitting and sewing. She also enjoyed square dancing in earlier years. She was an avid card player. Toni was also a University of Illinois sports fan. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for over 40 years, and later returned to the Catholic faith as a member of St. Pauls Catholic Church.

As per her wishes, a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834, is assisting the family in making arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be sent to the American Diabetes Association. Please join the family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.