Rev. Dan Adkison (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Dan Eugene Adkison was born in Kidder Township in Caldwell County, Missouri on January 30, 1950, to Kenneth and Jean (Jewell) Adkison. He attended Penny High School and graduated in 1968.
On June 20, 1976 in Tipton, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Patricia Lee Nemitz. The two met at Central Methodist University as music majors and shared their love of music throughout their forty-eight years of marriage.
Dan received a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Methodist University; Master of Arts in Music from Central Missouri State University; and Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology. In 1988, Dan was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church. During his thirty years of ministry, Dan served United Methodist churches throughout Missouri including First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, Malta Bend/Grand Pass, Lee’s Summit, Tipton/Fortuna, Gravois Mills, Bolivar, and Versailles/Glensted. He also served his community and was an active member of the Bolivar Rotary Club.
Dan’s life and ministry were marked by patience, humility, and love. His faithful service and peaceful presence were a beautiful reflection of Jesus, drawing many to Christ over the years. His faithfulness extended to his family as a consistent audience member at countless musical performances and an avid fan and supporter at his children’s many sporting events. Soft-spoken and wise, a wordsmith and poet, he was happiest working in his garden. Dan lived as an example of Christ’s loving-kindness in the world. That will forever be his legacy.
Dan is survived by his wife, Pat Adkison; their children Emily (Jesse) Fry and Ellen (Nathan) Miller; and grandchildren Molly, Max, Eliza, and Audie. He is also survived by siblings Dean (Janet) Adkison, Nancy Hawley, Kay (Dale) Hartley, George (Sherry) Adkison, Mona Bassett; and sisters-in-law Sue Burnett and Barbara Adkison.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Jean Adkison; stepmother, Leona Adkison; brothers Kent Adkison, Clyde Adkison; and brothers-in-law George Hawley and Bob Bassett.
A visitation for Dan will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Open Hearts United Methodist Church in Bolivar. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Highland Cemetery in Hamilton, Missouri.
Services are under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dan Eugene Adkison please visit our Sympathy Store.
What’s your fondest memory of Dan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dan?
Share a story where Dan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dan you’ll never forget.
How did Dan make you smile?
