Howard Duane Watkins

Howard Duane Watkins, 87, of Centerville, OH died Thursday, September 9, 2010. Howard was born and raised in Hillsdale, MI on June 1, 1923 and was the son of Howard James and Ida Majorie (Stahler) Watkins. He came to Dayton, OH in 1955 to work in sales and engineering at Delco Products retiring in 1984. He moved to Hudson, FL where he enjoyed retirement until returning to Dayton in 2002. He married his wife, Lenore Jean Wessen, on June 1, 1951 in Lansing, MI, 3 days before graduating from Michigan State University. He was a life long amateur radio operator (W8HWD) and a Charter Member of the Dayton Hamvention. He was an avid antique car collector, founding member of the Miami Valley Vintage Car Club of America and member of numerous other car clubs. He belonged to the Masons of Ohio and was a Life Member of the Elks. While in Florida, he was an active member in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife; sister, Evelyn Watkins Proctor; brother, Clifford Watkins; son, Kim David Watkins; and granddaughter, Alicia McKenna.

Howard is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Margo and Michael McKenna; son-in-law, Daryl Littlefield; 6 granddaughters - Angela (Paul) Webendorfer; Hollie (Jason) Cambria; Betsey Watkins Vela; Michelle (Matt) Feltz; Heather (Mike) Hoffman; and Bria McKenna; and 7 great-grandchildren – Laura Webendorfer; Avery, Rylee, Brogan and Eian Cambria; and Tegan and Craden Hoffman.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association, 1313 W. Dorothy Lane, Kettering Ohio 45409 or The Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45420. Memorial services will be held in Hillsdale, MI and Hudson, FL.