WATKINS, Robert Eugene 1930-2003

WATKINS, NELSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/1/2009 at 12:33:10

#1 of 2 items:

GREENE, IOWA - Memorial services for Robert E. Watkins, 72, of 420 North First Street, Greene, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene with Pastor Gary Hatcher officiating. Inurnment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Charles City with military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Charles City.

The family will receive friends Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Reid's Funeral Chapel in Greene where there will be a scripture service at 4:30 p.m.

Robert Eugene Watkins was born October 8, 1930, in Charles City, a son of Claude Dariius and Jennie Levine (Nelson) Watkins and died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Allison Care Center in Allison.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 North First Street, Greene, 641-823-4457.

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#2 of 2 items:

Robert Watkins

GREENE, IOWA- Memorial services for Robert E. Watkins, 72, of 420 North First Street, Greene, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene with Pastor Gary Hatcher officiating. Inurnment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Charles City with military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Charles City.

The family received friends Sunday at Reid's Funeral Chapel in Greene where there was a scripture service.

Robert Eugene Watkins was born Oct. 8, 1930, in Charles City a son of Claude Darius and Jennie Levine (Nelson) Watkins and died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Allison Care Center in Allison.

He received his education in the Charles City Public Schools and as a young man worked for Sherman Nursery and Moltz Construction both in Charles City. He later worked for Oliver Corp. until he entered the United States Marine Corp on Nov. 7, 1951. Following his honorable discharge on Nov. 6, 1953 he returned to Charles City where he worked for the Monaghan Turkey Ranch.

On April 3, 1955 he was united in marriage to Betty A. Nelson in Austin, Minn. They moved to Minneapolis where he was employed as a Cooper (Barrel Maker) at the Grief Brothers Cooperage Co until 1960. The following year he became employed by the Greene Rendering Co. where he remained until the business closed in 1982. Bob and his family moved to Greene to their present home in 1969.

Bob was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. His sense of humor, a practical joke, or those quiet moments together will be greatly missed. He had many interests which include being a very good artist, good dancer, and collector of stamps and coins. He enjoyed working out in the yard, gardening, and planting trees. He was an avid fan of the lowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings and a lover of Perkin's pancakes.

He was baptized a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene on May 11, 1969. Bob was a faithful member and served as usher for many years. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a volunteer for the Hawkeye Area Meals on Wheels.

Those thankful for having shared Bob's life include his loving wife of 48 years Betty of Greene; five daughters: Cindy (Mike) Eichmeier of Rockford, Nancy (Tim) Doudell of San Jose, Calif., Deb (Jimmy) Bostock of Hephzibah, Ga., Roberta "Bobbe" (Pat) Fitzgerald of East Hampton, Conn., Julie Watkins of Mason City; one son: Matthew Robert Scott Watkins of Greene; six grandchildren: Mary Jennifer Eichmeier, Christine and Kelly Doudell, Brittany and Noah Bostock, and Jeffrey Fitzgerald; two sisters: Evelyn Marrs of Neosho, Mo., Beverly (John) Jacobs of lonia; one brother: Jerry (Maxine) Watkins of Charles City.

Bob was preceded in death by two children in infancy: Jeffrey (1955) and Linda (1956); his parents; five brothers: Don, Charles, Jack, Dick, and Harvey in infancy; and three sisters: Edith Bright, Helen McDonald and Dorothy Trainer.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Robert Watkins Memorial Fund in care of the family 420 North First Street, Greene, lowa 50636-9751

Reid's Funeral Chapel, 519 North First Street, Greene, 641-823-4457 is in charge of arrangements.