Ronald E. "Gene" Watkins

Ronald E. Gene Watkins, 76, of Urbana, died on Friday, June 26, 2015 in Springfield Regional Medical Center. He was born December 4, 1938 in Champaign County, OH, a son of Granville S. and Lenore (Jenkins) Watkins. Gene was a graduate of North Lewisburg High School and retired from the Columbia Gas Company. He loved to fish, and enjoyed time spent at Indian Lake and in Florida. He was truly a wonderful man who simply loved life. Survivors include his wife, Sarah Green Watkins; daughter Lori (Jon) Allen and grandchildren, Justin (Sara) Karg, Devlin Allen and Hannah Allen, all of Urbana, and Brooke Allen of Cincinnati, and great-granddaughter, Khloe Karg; son, Ron (Beth) Watkins and grandchildren Kurtis Watkins and Dillon Watkins, all of Urbana; stepdaughter Holly Cooper and her children Jerry Cooper and Mackenzie Cooper; stepdaughter Julie (Randy) Henson and their children Hannah Henson and Clark Henson; brother, Sherman (Delores) Watkins; sisters, Shirley Hess and Ilene Tussing; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother, Marvin Watkins; brothers-in-law, Ed Tussing and Alfred Hess; son-in-law, Randy Karg; stepson, Rob Green; and son-in-law, Randy Karg. Family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in the WALTER & STOWE FUNERAL HOME, Urbana, where a Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Jim Lillibridge officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to a donors choice in Genes honor. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.