Leonard WATKINS

1 JUL 1929 - 11 AUG 2014

• BIRTH: 1 JUL 1929, South Bend, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 11 AUG 2014, St Joseph Regional Med. Center, South Bend, IN

1. +Brenda S. WATKINS

INDEX

[N31808] Leonard Watkins
July 1, 1929 - Aug. 11, 2014

ELKHART - Leonard "Link" Watkins, 85, of Elkhart, passed away at 5:20 a.m. Monday, August 11, 2014, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 1, 1929, in South Bend, to the late Jacob & Effie (Rice) Watkins. On December 31, 1973, in St. Joseph County, he married Mary Hill; she passed away on November 14, 2009. Link is survived by a son, LaMarr (Erika) Watkins of South Bend; 4 daughters: Judy Onderdonk, Brenda (Thomas) Walkowiak, both of South Bend, Cindy Appleby of Ionia, MI, and Monica Delgado of Mishawaka; 2 brothers, Chuck and Ivan "Ike" Watkins, both of Florida; a sister, Roberta Vennard of Elkhart; 9 grandchildren: Carlos, Nicolas, Dominick, Angelica, Jessie, Stacy, Tommy, Michelle and Nicole; 9 great-grandchildren: Brayden, Judy Rose, Elsie, Emily, Andy, Christopher, Lucas, Brianna and Katelyn; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Hill of LaPorte, IN; his special companion, Lou Goorhouse of Elkhart; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; 7 brothers: Wayne, Ernest, Swede, Morris, Norbert, Lee and Bob Watkins; 2 sisters, Virginia and Norma; and 1 grandchild, Angel Onderdonk. Link served in the Army during the Japanese Occupation from 1946-1947 and received the WW II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. A Celebration of Life, private family gathering will be held at a later date. He was a past member and president of Lydick Lions and Warren Township Park Board. He worked at Studebaker/Avanti and served as a caddy in his younger years at the South Bend Country Club. He retired from Plumbers Local 433 after many years of service and went into business for himself as Link's Sales and Service Plumbing. His company proudly sponsored many little league teams at Warren Park. He had a true love of fishing and looked forward to the annual trip to Baldwin, MI, and fishing with his grandkids, and loved going to Four Winds Casino and playing cards with his companion, Lou. The family would like to thank the staff of Healthwin Specialized Care for their wonderful and passionate care. We would also like to thank the 4th and 6th floor nursing staff and clergy at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for making our dad comfortable in his last days, and also a special thank you to Dr. Owens and her staff for Dad's care. In lieu of cards and flowers, please make memorial donations to Healthwin Specialized Care's Activity Department at 20531 Darden Rd., South Bend, IN 46545. Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Aug. 13, 2014