Obituary of Kenneth Allan Watkins

Mr. Kenneth Allan Watkins, 84, of State Highway 163, Fort Plain, New York died Monday evening, September 3rd, 2012 surrounded by his family. Born on February 16, 1928 in the Town of Danube, NY, he was the son of William Kenneth Watkins and Cora Doxtader Watkins. He was a graduate of St. Johnsville Central School, class of 1948 and was a lifelong area resident. Mr. Watkins was a supervisor at Helmont Mills Inc. in St. Johnsville, retiring in 1989. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Fort Plain. Mr. Watkins was a Veteran of the US Army, 1st Calvary, Private First Class. He was a member of the Fort Plain American Legion Post #554, a life member of the First Calvary Division Association, and member of the US Air Forces Association (Colin P. Chapter) in Rome, NY. Mr. Watkins was also a member of the National Rifle Association and the North American Fisherman Club. Mr. Watkins enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. On October 9, 1954 in Fort Plain, NY, Kenneth was married to Jean Korniat Watkins. Together they celebrated 57 years of marriage. Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife, Jean Korniat Watkins of Freysbush, NY; 2 sons, Kenneth Anthony Watkins and his wife, Kerry of Corinth, NY, Terry M. Watkins and his wife, Anne of San Antonio, TX; sister, Jessie Case of St. Johnsville, NY; 2 sister-in-laws, Marion Shutter and Ellen Sue Claussen; brother-in-law, Anthony Korniat; 3 granddaughters, Danielle, Haleigh, Helen; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. A prayer service will be held on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 9:30am at the Chapel of Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center Street, Fort Plain, NY. The celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 7 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY with Father Dennis Murphy and Father John Roos concelebrating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, September 6, 2012 from 5-8pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Fort Plain Cemetery with Military Honors at graveside. Contributions in memory of Mr. Kenneth Allan Watkins may be made to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 119 Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517,Topeka, Kansas 66675.