Castalia native killed in Afghanistan

An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Castalia-native Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins on Monday at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

A Castalia, Ohio native was one of five U.S. servicemen killed Saturday in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber, family members confirmed Tuesday.

Sgt. 1st Class Charles “Chuck” Adkins, 36, died in the attack along with four other NATO trainers who had been working with the Afghan army.

A 16-year Army veteran, Mr. Adkins was a 1993 graduate of Margaretta High School in Castalia. He and his wife, Sarah, a 1995 Margaretta graduate, had five children.

“He was a good family man,” said Sergeant Adkins’ brother-in-law, Josh Lane of Castalia, who graduated from high school with him.

He said Sergeant Adkins was a good friend before he became his brother-in-law.

Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins, a 1993 graduate of Margaretta High School in Castalia, Ohio, was one of five U.S. servicemen killed Saturday in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber.

“I’ve known Chuck since grade school,” Mr. Lane said. “He’s one of those people that always made you smile.”

Mr. Lane said Sergeant Adkins’ remains had been flown to Dover, Md. for an autopsy. Family members expect a memorial service to be held at Fort Campbell, Ky., where Sergeant Adkins was stationed, early next week. A second service may be held locally after that, he said.

The Adkinses live in Clarksville, Tenn. not far from Fort Campbell.

Sergeant Adkins had served two tours in Iraq. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

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