Rebecca Atchison Obituary

Rebecca Lucinda Schmehl Atchison

Rebecca L. Schmehl Atchison, 79, died July 20, 2025, in Torrance, California.

She was born June 19, 1946, in Blufffon, to Ernest and Luella (Schaller) Schmehl, who preceded her in death. On June 21, 1991, she married John Atchison, who survives in Manhattan Beach, California.

Rebecca was a 1964 graduate of Cory-Rawson High School. After high school, she graduated from Elkhart Institute of Technology in Elkhart, Indiana. For a short period of time, she was a medical technologist at Grant Hospital in Columbus and a medical instructor at Career Academy, also in Columbus.

Rebecca achieved her pilot's license in California and loved to fly. She changed careers and became a flight attendant. She was a flight attendant for over 40 years and received the Continental airlines flight attendant of the year award.

She also ran her own company, Clay Motif. In addition, she had her real estate license, was a property owner/manager, and was a trained scuba diver. Most importantly, she helped with the raising of her beloved nephew, Justin, of Rawson.

She is survived by her husband, John Atchison of Manhattan Beach, California; nephew, Justin (Nancy) Schmehl of Rawson; great-nephew, Ryker Schmehl; great-niece, Luella Schmehl of Rawson; and stepdaughters from a previous marriage, Therese Bensch, Denise Aiello, and Jaylene Berry.

She was also preceded in death by her brother, Charles N. Schmehl; and sister-in-law, Mara J. Schmehl.

A celebration of life will be 1-4 p.m. Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the Jenera Community Building. Cookies and punch will be provided. Please bring any pictures, memories, or stories, and come and help us celebrate her life.