Ruth I. Watkins

Ruth I. Watkins, 89, of Decatur passed away on Friday, February 23, 2018 at Woodcrest of Adams County. She was born in Adams County to Frank and Jesse (Kaves) Herman. She was married to her soulmate, Burvil E. Watkins, for nearly 50 years.

She attended school in Hartford Township and was a homemaker. She enjoyed outdoor gardening and yard work, crocheting, sewing and making crafts. She was also known for being an incredible cook - you never left her house hungry. Some of her favorite memories were camping and traveling with her husband and daughter. Then later in life, she enjoyed camping with their grandchildren and watching her great-grandchildren and teaching them to play Chinese checkers when they were young.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Don (Cat McDonald) Hockemeyer; granddaughter, Nikki (Noah) Hessler; grandson, Jeff (April) Hockemeyer; three great-grandchildren Lexy and Brandi Counterman; and Luke Hockemeyer, all of Decatur; brother, Bob Herman of Linn Grove; five sisters-in-law, Karen Herman; Grace Herman; Marilyn Herman; Dianna Herman; and Irene Watkins, and two brother-in-laws, Marvin Watkins; and Virgil Bixler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in March of 1998; her beautiful daughter, Connie S. (Watkins) Hockemeyer in March of 2005; three sisters, Dorthy Herman; Garnett Bixler; and Velma Wable; four brothers, Don Herman; Dan Herman; Dale Herman; and Alvin Herman; two brothers-in-law, Russ Watkins; and Robert (Al) Wable; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Herman; and JoAnne Watkins.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service on Friday, March 2 at Haggard-Sefton-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur. Officiating will be Pastor Chris Thurow. Burial will be at Decatur Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Arrangements provided by Haggard-Sefton-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the guestbook, click on www.hshfuneralhome.com.