James M. Watkins

James “Jimmie” Watkins, 96, of Wheeling passed away on February 4th in Princeton, Indiana at Deaconess Gibson General.

Jimmie was born in Gibson County to Laverne and Irene (Jones) Watkins on August 12th, 1924. He graduated from Mt. Olympus in 1942. He was a veteran of WWII and served in the South Pacific on an LST. He worked in the oil fields and as a farmer, retiring in 2016. He was a trustee and an active member of Wheeling United Methodist Church. He loved spending time with his family, especially his great grandchildren.

Jimmie is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Jo Watkins; his daughter, Jan McConnell; grandson, Sam McConnell; and several brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law.

Jimmie is survived by Mary Lou (Hunt) Watkins, his wife of 74 years; his daughter and sons-in-law, Jane & Rod Vickers and Mike McConnell; his sister, Jean Pauley; his grandchildren, Sara & Bryce Abbey, Jenny & Zach Kolb, and Logan Vickers; and his great grandchildren, Lane & Jase Kolb and Hudson & Harrison Abbey.

A walk-through visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton. Due to state mandated restrictions, 50 people are the maximum capacity for a funeral gathering, social distancing and masks are also required. A private funeral service will be held for the family due to COVID-19 restrictions, but friends are encouraged to join via facebook live around 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 10, 2021 by going to https://www.facebook.com/ColvinFuneralHomes. Interment will follow services at Atkinson Chapel Cemetery in Oatsville with the Retired Military Veterans handling full military honors at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to Wheeling United Methodist Church, 6046 E County Road 390 N, Francisco, IN, 47649. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be made by visiting ColvinFuneralHome.com where you can also light a candle in loving memory of Jimmy. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Watkins family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James M. Watkins, please visit our floral store.