OBIT: Ralph E. WATKINS, 1998, Cessna, Somerset County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library
  Transcribed by Kerry L. Miller.
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
  _______________________________________________ 
  
  WATKINS
  
  Ralph E. Watkins, 94, of Cessna died April 27, 1998, at Donahoe
  Manor, Bedford.  Born April 27, 1908 in Alum Bank.  The son of the
  late John M. and Lydia (Hahn) Watkins.  Preceded in death by wife,
  Ailene (Bowser) Watkins, who died in 1993; brother, Walter; sister,
  Melba Snyder.  Survived by sons: James L., married to the former Faye
  Diehl, State College; David R. Watkins, Boswell; daughter, Shirley,
  wife of J. Frank Williams, Bedford, and sisters: Janet Robel,
  Gaithersburg, Md., and Grace Michael, Bristol; grandchildren: Pamela
  Wild, Randy, David Lee and Mindy Watkins; 3 greatgrandchildren. 
  Graduate of Elizabethtown State Teachers College.  Taught school
  until 1934.  Owner of the former Five Gables Restaurant in Cessna,
  which he built in 1946 and opened in 1947.  Member of St. John's
  Christian Church of Cessna.  Fifty-year member of Bedford Masonic
  Lodge 320, F&AM; Harrisburg Consistory; Jaffa Temple, Altoona. 
  Member of the People to People organization and traveled with them to
  many foreign countries.  Former vice president and treasurer of
  Watkins Chevrolet, Boswell.  Mr. Watkins was formerly employed by the
  Harris-Buyer Bakery for 6 years.  He and his late wife owned and
  operated a restaurant and service station in Alum Bank.  He was very
  fond of his horses and enjoyed riding until his illness in 1991.  Was
  a past member of the Chestnut Ridge Riding Club.  Viewing from 2 to 4
  and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Jack Geisel Funeral Home, Pleasantville,
  where service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Rev. Eric Larson
  officiating.  Interment, Pleasantville Cemetery.  Contributions may
  be made to St. John's Christian Church, RD 2, Box 197, Bedford. Pa
  15522.  A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the
  funeral home.
  
  Daily American, April 29, 1998
  
  [W0517]