John J. Watkins, Sr.

Born: 9/21/1929 Died: 10/26/2011 Mr. John J. Watkins, Sr., age 82, of Newark, DE, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. A native Delawarean, Mr. Watkins was born in Wilmington on September 21, 1929, son of the late Robert A. Watkins and Madeline A. Hart Watkins. He made his career as a professional brick mason with Bricklayers Union Local #1. A devout Catholic throughout his life, Mr. Watkins was a member of St. John’s parish in Newark; he was a former member of Holy Spirit Parish and its Holy Name men’s group. He was also active with the Durney Post in Wilmington and volunteered each year to help stage the Wilmington St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Watkins greatly enjoyed crabbing and was well known for his delicious crab soup recipe. He also baked wonderful frittatas, a family favorite for many years. He was very fond of visits to Delaware Park with family and friends, and, in earlier years, he delighted in going dancing with his wife. In addition to his parents, Mr. Watkins was preceded in death by his first wife, Marguerite V. Watkins, his second wife, Mary Haeseler Meier Watkins, sons, David Meier and Charles Watkins, daughter-in-law, Tammy Watkins, seven brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his children, John Watkins, Jr. (Alma), Ralph Meier (Katharine), Robert Watkins, Daniel Meier (Nancy), Marguerite Gott (Mark), Stanley Meier (Jane), Nicholas Watkins, and Jennifer Meier; brother, Joseph Watkins; sister, Joan Webb (George); grandchildren, Tyler, Bianca, Caleb, Kiana, Jonathan, Danielle, Mary Frances, Sarah, Jeremy, Lauren, Lindsey, and Joshua; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Charles Mulligan and his staff, Dr. Peter Santoro, the nurses of Christiana Hospital Floor 4D, the Visiting Nurses Association, the staff of Christiana Hospital ICU, and Mr. Watkins’ wonderful neighbors who were always such good friends to him. Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at Holy Spirit R.C. Church, 12 Winder Road, Garfield Park, New Castle, DE 19720. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Ave., Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Spirit R.C. Church at the address above.