Charles D. Elkins

Charles Douglas Elkins, lovingly known as Doug, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at his home in Otsego, surrounded by his family. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, on July 10, 1939, to Russell and Bertha (Anderson) Elkins, Doug worked as a crane operator installing metal power towers and in concrete fabrication. There was no piece of heavy equipment he could not operate, and if it had keys, he could drive it.

Doug’s family was his greatest pride and joy. He cherished every moment spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed playing horseshoes with his brothers, remained devoted to his mother throughout his life, and had a special nickname for everyone he cared about. Doug found simple pleasures in playing cards, watching Westerns and wrestling, fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, and tending to his beloved plants and flowers with his well-known green thumb. He treasured the neighbors who treated him like family.

In October 1959, Doug married Rachel Risner, who passed away in 1981. He later married Norma and Pam, who also preceded him in death. He is survived by his children, Sherri Elkins, Roy (Jessica) Elkins, Susan (Tony) Christopher, and Darby (Clifford) Robinson; daughter-in-law, Kathi Snyder; 18 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; his siblings, Danny (Norma) Elkins, Jerry (Barb) Elkins, Johnny (Colleen) Elkins, Jim (Loretta) Elkins, Ricky (Kathy) Elkins, Pete (Rose) Elkins, and Jackie (Ed) Blankenship; sisters-in-law, Jane Elkins, Sandy Elkins, Janet Elkins, Brenda Loviska, Garnet Blauvelt, and Lorene Sizemore; along with many nieces and nephews, including his special nephew, Bobby Elkins.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; his son, Gilbert Snyder; his grandson, Evan Elkins; his great-grandson, Harrison Rain Merrill; his siblings, Buddy Elkins, Ruth (Daniel) Money, Barb Elkins, Phyllis (Virgil) Buell, Kenny Elkins, Cob Elkins, and Roger Dale Elkins; his mother- and father-in-law, Ben and Osie Risner; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Venus (Freddy) Marshal, Elenore (Russ) Bacon, Edizene (Gordon) Heffner, Josephine (General) Noble, Cotton Blauvelt, Dorthy (Everett) McEntyre, Darlene (Floyd) Hatfield, Steve Risner, and Jack Sizemore, who was like a brother; his special niece, Cheryl Elkins; and his special nephew, Jeff Sizemore.