Marion 'Mario' Watkins

Marion 'Mario' Watkins, of Bay City, passed away Sunday evening July 24, 2011 at Brian's House, age 84. The son of the late Harlow & Carrie (Newland) Watkins, he was born October 4, 1926 in Coolville, Ohio. Marion served with the U.S. Navy during WWII and was a member of the V.F.W. and the AMVETS. He retired from Resistance Welders Corp. Marion was an avid Tiger baseball fan and euchre player and enjoyed fishing and golfing. Mr. Watkins is survived by a daughter, Linda (Gary) Burns of Midland; two sons, Terry (special friend, Vici Fetter) Watkins of Bay City and Greg (Gina) Watkins of Hudsonville; grandchildren, Tracilyn Paige, Justin Watkins, Cody Watkins, Sarah Watkins, Matthew Watkins and Nathan (Jenny Rytlewski) Paige and their children, Madelayna, Gabriel and Jenna Rose; a sister, Mary Belle DuVall of Coolville, OH; five sisters-in-law, Beatrice Watkins, Ruth Watkins, Patricia Watkins, Georgeanne Watkins and Thelma Watkins; and a special friend, Barb Kekpinski. Besides his parents, Marion was also preceded in death by five brothers, Paul, Garald, Robert, Argyl and Garrett Watkins. Cremation has taken place and there will be a Memorial Service at 11:00am on Thursday July 28, 2011 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Rev. Joseph Atchinson followed by Military Honors conducted by the Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00am until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to Brian's House or the Bay County Veterans Council.