SYRACUSE - Eldon J. "Bud" Watkins, 87, of CR 1000N, Syracuse, died at 1:11 p.m. July 4, 2009, in Goshen General Hospital.
He was born Aug. 4, 1921, to John H. and Bernice Smith Watkins. On July 17, 1953, in Syracuse, he married Edith E. Franz, who survives.
A lifetime Leesburg and Syracuse area resident, he graduated from Leesburg High School in 1939, where he was active in sports. He was a dairy farmer most of his life. He quit milking in 1971, but continued raising heifers for other dairymen. He was former owner and operator of Wawasee Gravel Co., Syracuse, and had a sawdust business, hauling sawdust to area dairymen for bedding. He was a member of North Webster Church of God and formerly attended the Zion Chapel United Brethren Church, Syracuse. He formerly served on the Kosciusko County Fair Board where he helped run the race track and was a supervisor on the Soil & Water Board for several years. He was currently still serving on the Kosciusko County Drainage Board.
Also surviving are a daughter, Robyn (and spouse Tony) Tilson, Syracuse; two grandsons; and a sister, Dorothy Dye, Leesburg. He was preceded in death by two sisters.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at North Webster Church of God, North Webster, with Pastor Jeff Boyer officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Syracuse.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Owen Family Funeral Home, Syracuse.
*****
Memorial to North Webster Church of God.
Condolences may be sent to www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com
