Ralph W. Watkins

Ralph William Watkins, 85, of North Clear Ridge Road, Hustontown, PA, died at 2:35 PM, Saturday, December 15, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Born August 22, 1927 in Todd Twp., Huntingdon Co., PA, he was a son of the late Clarence & Edna (Stains) Watkins. He was married to the former Katherine M. Collins on May 21, 1949. His loving wife of 63 years survives at their home.

He was a devoted father to; Linda J. Fleming and her husband Kendall of Mt. Airy, MD, Jack W. Watkins and his wife Linea of Chambersburg, PA, Sharon L. Eckerd and her husband Rodney of Hustontown, PA and Reta M. Chamberlain and her husband Mont of McConnellsburg, PA. He was also blessed and very proud of his grandchildren, Tabrena Lewandowski, Kendra Berry, Holly Harper, Philip Watkins, Jennifer Williams, Kristen Watkins, Donald Truax, James Truax and Ryan Chamberlain. He also had fourteen great grandchildren, Jessica and Brian Lewandowski, Kailey Berry, Elisabeth and Joshua Harper, Tori Witter, Kylee and Parker Watkins, Addisyn and Benjamin Williams, Rosalyn, Lily, Emma and Cassidy Truax.

Also surviving are four brothers, Clarence Watkins, Jr., Melvin Watkins, Marlin "Trig" Watkins and Robert "Buddy" Watkins and two sisters, Winifred Worthy and Isabelle Cramer. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence and Lewellyn, two sisters, June Duvall and Vera Swindell, twin grandsons and a granddaughter, Amy Jo Chamberlain.

Mr. Watkins was a member of the Berkeley Springs Church of Christ. For many years he led congregational singing. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid follower of collegiate and professional sports. He was carpenter by trade. Following retirement, he worked in the lumber department of Lowes in Chambersburg, PA.
    
Mr. Watkins was a veteran of the U. S. Army.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at the M. R. Brown Funeral Home, 301 Pitt St., Hustontown, PA (map/directions) with Ed Dyche, retired minister of the Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will be made at Union Cemetery, RD, McConnellsburg, PA where miltary honors will be accorded by the Fulton Honor Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home 6 - 8 PM Monday and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.