IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

Melvin Watkins

A celebration of life for Melvin Magellan Watkin, who went to be with the Lord on Nov. 23, 2022, at his home, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in the Santa Fe Room on the east side of Marion City Library, 101 Library St., Marion.

Lunch will be served afterward. Visitation with family and friends will be until 3 p.m.

A twin, he was born Nov. 12, 1939, to Raymond and Gladys Watkins at the home of his grandparents, Mabel and Walter Lott, in Minneapolis, Kansas. His brother, Marvin, who proceeded him in death.

Melvin went to Longfellow Elementary and Hamilton Junior High and met and fell in love with his lifetime sweetheart, Joan Kaye Pierce, at West High in Wichita.

He joined the Air Force on Dec. 4, 1957. The couple married March 28, 1958, at McConnell Air Force Base. They were stationed at Niagara Falls Air Force missile site in New York.

To this union a daughter, Debra Kay, was born. Over the next few years, three more sons were born. Raymond Howard, Raymond Howard II, and Michael Jon all preceded him in death.

He leaves behind his wife and his daughter, Debra Steele, and her companion Danny Rudolph.

Other family members include grandson Paul Mansfield and wife Mary Grace; great-granddaughter Naomi Grace; granddaughter Danielle and her husband, Jerry Ellis; great-grandchildren Cameron and Elijah Maynard, Brenna and CJ Maynard, Andrea Stockwell, Cynthia Ellis and great-great-granddaughter Lilly Ellis; grandson Shawn Steele and his wife, Jessilynn Smith; and great-grandchildren Patrick, Katarina and Tristan Steele.

Also surviving are sister Marilyn Jones, nieces Katherine Hill and Kimberly Fielding; sister-in-law Jeannie and husband Joe Galleher; nieces Renee and Terri Greene and husband Matt; nephew Raymond Watkins and wife Paula; plus many great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.