Rev. J. Daniel Atkins

Rev. J. Daniel Atkins, 78, of New Albany, Indiana, lovingly known to many as Father Dan, died on September 25, 2026, in New Albany surrounded by his sisters. He was born on April 10, 1948, in New Albany, the community that would remain both his beginning and, in many ways, an enduring center of his life and ministry.

A 1966 Providence High School graduate, Fr. Dan explored seminary school out of high school before deciding that was not yet his path. He would get his English and Philosophy degrees from Kansas State College of Pittsburg, Kansas. Dan returned home for the summer upon graduation and participated in the Providence High School Alumni Theatrical production of “1776”. Dan planned to utilized his musical talents with a traveling performing group until Ray Day and Bob Larkin asked him to consider teaching at Providence. Dan joined Providence High School Faculty as English and Religion teacher in the Fall of 1972. Those years helped shape a life of faith, service, and devotion that would touch countless people across Indiana. And so, his service to our community began.

Dan taught English, Speech, and Religion from 1972 to 1984 at Providence. During that time, he started the ever-important and formative Senior Retreat Program which, to this day, is one of the hallmarks of the Providence experience. From the start, Dan noted that, “The Spirit is a Movin’” among the students during their retreats. Fortunately, others within Providence High School and at St. Meinrad also noted “The Spirit a Movin’” within Dan. Dan began seminary studies in 1984 and was ordained in 1987.

For more than 30 years, Fr. Dan served the communities of Indiana as their priest. He was always deeply involved in the life of the community and carried a special gift for bringing people together. Fr. Dan’s new chapter as priest would take him many places and impact many lives. His work included stops at, St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis for 2 years; Roncalli High School Chaplain for 5 years while serving several parishes in Indianapolis; St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University for 10 years (where he also lead prayer service for the football team and has a football helmet to prove it!); St. Joe Corydon, St. Peter, and Most Precious Blood in Harrison County for 5 years; Holy Family in New Albany for 7 years; and eventually, full circle back to Our Lady of Providence High School 2018 to present as Chaplain and Archdiocesan Associate Director of Vocations. The churches, ministries, and lives he helped lead and encourage formed a wide and lasting legacy. The list of these accomplishments could never do justice to the impact they have forever made.

At the heart of all he did was a deep care for people and a profound love for modeling the heart of Jesus. His ministry was not only heard in sermons or seen in leadership, but felt in the way he accompanied others with compassion and presence. He planted seeds of love throughout Southern Indiana and far beyond, and those he served will carry that gift forward.

In speaking of lessons from his career, “Your ministry cannot stop at the church door. You have to go out and meet people to encounter them where they are.” And of his time at Providence, “If you want to be a good priest, you must come in with a sense of self-worth. I was encouraged and built up during my time at Providence to give me that sense of self-worth.”

Fr. Dan also embraced life with warmth and creativity. He enjoyed the outdoors and found joy in the beauty and peace it offered. He was a gifted guitar player, singer, and songwriter, and many hold dear their memories of watching Fr. Dan perform. These talents revealed another side of his generous spirit, one that brought delight, comfort, and connection to those around him.

Fr. Dan will be remembered with gratitude, affection, and abiding faith. His life was one of service, music, fellowship, and steadfast love for God’s people. In the community he cherished and in the hearts of all who knew him, his witness will remain.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl "Ish" Atkins and Margaret Darneal Atkins; brother, Rick Atkins; and brother-in-law, Larry Vetter.

Father Dan is survived by his loving siblings, Jacqueline Vetter, Carla Patterson (Mike Hawkins), and Thomas Atkins; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his faithful canine companion, Elinore.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church, (5719 St. Mary's Road, Floyds Knobs, Indiana). The evening of visitation will close with a short time of storytelling and memories. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Wednesday, at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church with burial to follow at the church cemetery.

Please consider sharing a memory of Fr. Dan or leaving a special message for his family by completing the online Guestbook below.