Thomas Watkinson

Peterseim Funeral Home

201 B Ave., PO Box 81

Kalona, Iowa 52247-0081

(319)656-2233

A Mass of Christian burial for Thomas W. Watkinson, 54, of Kinross will be held Friday, June 1, 2012 at 10:00AM at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond with Father Marty Goetz officiating. Burial will follow at the Mentzer Cemetery in rural Riverside. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 31 from 4-8PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona with a prayer vigil at 7:30PM. A general memorial fund has been established. Tom died Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following a brief illness.

Thomas Walter Watkinson was born February 19, 1958 in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Samuel J. And Carolyn "Connie" (Ledman) Watkinson. He graduated from Iowa City West High in 1976. Tom was employed as a pressman at the Iowa City Press Citizen all of his working life. He was united in marriage to Robin Poggenpohl on November 1, 1996 in Las Vegas, NV. Tom was a member of the Iowa City Eagles Club and a gardening club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, mushroom hunting, watching football, and wrestling, and coaching baseball. Tom especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Robin of Kinross, seven children, Jason (Angela) Poggenpohl of North Liberty, Tonya (Gary) Simpson of Riverside, Bonnie Jean Poggenpohl of Kinross, Tyler (Donna) Watkinson of Cedar Rapids, Shivonne Beemer of Iowa City, Tamra Watkinson of Iowa City, Steven Beemer of Iowa City, 12 grandchildren, Collyn, Cade, Ethan, Olivia, Alexis, Bradley, Elizabeth, Hannah, Gracelyn, Chase, Kevin and Kayden, father and mother in law, Edward and Bonnie Poggenpohl of Iowa City, six siblings, LuAnn (Gary) Wagamon of Wellman, Sam Watkinson JR of Kalona, Barb Bender and special friend Kenny Barrett of Sturgis, MI , Mary Watkinson of Riverside, Sue (Steve) Kron of Kalona and John (Jo Ellen) Watkinson of Camby, IN, and close friend, Randy Kramer.

Preceding Tom in death were his parents, an infant daughter, Marie Watkinson, and two nephews, Chris Wagamon and Eric Grau.