Robey E. Watson 1906-2007

WATSON, PRATT, VAN OENEN, JOHNSON, NELSON, COOK, BURROUGH, SEMPRINI, MALIN, VOELKEL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 9/14/2008 at 11:55:07

Montezuma (IA) Republican; August 1, 2007

ROBEY E. WATSON, 100

Robey E. Watson, 100, of Montezuma, passed away on Monday, July 23, 2007 in Montezuma, Iowa with his family around him.

His funeral service was held Wednesday, July 25, at Watts Funeral Home, Montezuma, with the Rev. Howard Lord, retired, of the United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was at Jackson Township Cemetery, Montezuma.

Robey Ellis Watson, son of Fred and Martha (Pratt) Watson, was born Aug. 17, 1906 at Searsboro, Iowa and grew up on the Watson farm there. After graduation from Searsboro High School, he continued his education at William Penn College School of Commerce and graduated in 1926. He then returned to Searsboro and began farming. On Jan. 28, 1932 he married Jennie G. Van Oenen and they began their married life together, farming near Searsboro and attending the Friends Church. In 1940, they moved to the Montezuma community to continue farming and raising Angus cattle. At the age of 85, Robey quit actively farming. However, until one week before his passing, he continued to live independently on his farm, remaining active with his outdoor projects and handling his own business affairs. His mechanical skills kept him occupied with projects but he also enjoyed reading, current affairs, genealogy, poetry, puzzles, checkers and other games. He enjoyed current technology including email and his own computer. In recent years, Robey especially enjoyed the friendship of his sister-in-law, Lucille Watson, and her family. He loved his family and enjoyed all the family gatherings.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jennie in 1978, brothers Roy, Leo, Alvah, Lewis and Joe Watson and sisters Ida and Viola Watson and Alice Johnson.

Those left to honor the memory of Robey include his daughter Janet (James) Nelson of Reston, Va. and their children, Grant (Deborah) Nelson and Michele Nelson; Robey's son Carl (Judy) Watson of Wenatchee, Wash. and their family, Kurt (Jessica) Watson and their children Eric and Shawn and Kent Watson and his daughter Selena; son Oran (Barbara) Watson of Montezum and their family, Angie (Kyle) Cook and their children Owen and Ellen, Brenda (Eric) Burrough and their daughters Lauren and Olivia, and Cheri Watson and her special friend Steve Semprini; son Dale (June) Watson of Ames and their family, Jill (Ben) Malin and Derek Watson; and sisters-in-law Lucille Watson of Montezuma and Alma Voelkel of Phoenix, Ariz., as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorials in his name may be designated to the Poweshiek County Historical and Genealogical Society, 200 S. Third St., Montezuma, IA 50171