Samuel Watkinson

A visitation for Samuel J. Watkinson age 80 of Riverside and formerly of Hills and Kalona will be Tuesday, August 30 from 1-2 pm at the Peterseim Funeral Home, Kalona.

Inurnment will follow immediately.

Sam Watkinson died Friday, August 26, 2011 at his home in Riverside following a decline in health.

Samuel John Watkinson was born March 30, 1931 near Lone Tree the son of Fay and Anna (Smid) Watkinson.  Sam served in the U S Navy four years aboard the U.S.S. Salamony from 1950-1955.

He married Carolyn (Connie) Ledman September 2 ^nd , 1954 at Holy Trinity Church in Richmond, IA.

He hauled gas for Jones Harriet Steven for several years and also worked for Geata Distributing.  Then in 1974 he became a Security Officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics until retirement in 1992.

Some of Sam's true loves were, coaching baseball for 14 years in Hills and playing baseball.  He was a volunteer firefighter for the Hills Volunteer Fire Department.  He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, playing cards, bingo and family and friends.

Sam is survived by his wife Carolyn (Connie) and children, Luann(Gary) Wagamon of Wellman, Sam Watkinson Jr. of Kalona, Tom (Robin) Watkinson of Kinross, Barb Bender and special friend Kenny Barrett of Sturgis, MI, Mary Watkinson of Riverside, Sue (Steve) Kron of Kalona and John (JoEllen) Watkinson of Camby, IN.

Also surviving are a brother and sister, Jim Watkinson and special friend Faye Wheeeler of Iowa City, and Virginia Kreueger of Lone Tree, 44 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert Watkinson, brother-in-law, Delbert Krueger, sister-in-law Margie Watkinson, sister-in-law Gerry Watkinson and a grandson, Chris Wagamon a granddaughter, Marie Watkinson and a stepgrandson, Eric Grau.

A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Washington County.