Joseph T. Watkins

Joseph T. Watkins, 75, of Elyria, died Monday, June 27, 2011 at EMH Healthcare.

He was born May 21, 1936 in Dothan, WV and had lived in Akron and Cleveland and was a 30 year resident of N. Ridgeville before moving to Elyria in 2001.

He was employed at Ford Motor Company as a machine operator in Brookpark, OH from 1955 until retiring in 1991. He was a member of Faith Baptist Temple in N. Ridgeville, the Elyria 787 Masonic Lodge and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cleveland.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 53 years, Katherine M. (nee Hoover) of Elyria; daughters Patricia J. Watkins of Elyria, OH and Carol A. Verderber of LaGrange; granddaughter Sarah E. Verderber; brother Bill Watkins of Beckley, WV and a sister Ida Mae Williams of Oak Hill, WV.

He was preceded in death by brothers Charles and Bob Watkins and a sister Charlene Watkins.

Family will receive friends Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Dicken Funeral Home, 323 Middle Ave. Elyria where a funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday. Reverend Ray Carpenter will officiate and burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association, 6100 Rockside Woods Blvd. #260, Independence, OH 44131. For online condolences, visit www.dickenfuneralhome.com

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