Obituary of Duane H. Watkins

��Woodhull, NY | Duane H. Watkins, 77, of Thomas Road, Woodhull, NY, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA. Duane was born in Woodhull on June 3, 1938, the son of the late Morrell and Vinnie Taft Watkins. He was raised in Woodhull and was a 1956 graduate of Woodhull High School. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves while still in school in 1955. Immediately following graduation, Duane received his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and served in the Reserves until 1963. In February 1957, he began a long career with the Ingersoll Rand Co. in Painted Post where he retired after 40 years in 1997 as a transportation coordinator. On August 3, 1963, he and Joan I. King were married at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport, NY. They made their home together in Horseheads until the completion of their new home in Woodhull in 1970 where they have resided since. Duane was a life member of the Woodhull Fire Department and member and past Commander of the Woodhull Memorial Post of the American Legion. He was also a former member of the Addison Eagles Aerie. An avid outdoorsman, Duane loved to hunt and fish and always looked forward to deer hunting season spent with his family and his brother, hunting from their cabin on the hill. He enjoyed target shooting and took pride in teaching his family the safe use of firearms. He was a very enthusiastic coin collector and enjoyed some occasional gambling, especially playing video poker. Duane's greatest love was his family and friends. He always looked out for others, making certain that his family was safe and any needs they had were met. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandpa. Duane enjoyed his daily breakfast with his many friends in Addison. He would often do little things for people that he never spoke of but his kindnesses were deeply appreciated by those people. Surviving is his wife of nearly 52 years, Joan Watkins at home, his son and daughter in law, Eric and Krys Watkins of Woodhull, his daughter and son in law, Deborah and Rick Marvin of Pine City, his grandchildren, Amanda Marvin, Cody Marvin, Ian Michael Watkins, Connor Marvin and Paige Watkins, 2 great grandchildren, his sister, June (Roy) Crans of Woodhull, his sister in law, Dorothy Watkins of Woodhull and many nieces and nephews. Duane was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold "Bud" Watkins, Morrel "Bunk" Watkins Jr. and Eldred Watkins, and his sister, Marguerite Dickerson. Friends may call on Monday, August 3 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Funeral services will be held there on Tuesday at 11 AM with Rev. Brian Diffenbacher officiating. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery.�� Memorials in Duane's name may be made to the Woodhull Fire Dept. and Ambulance Assoc. or the Community Church of Woodhull.�� Service: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 11:00 AM�� H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY�� Visitation: Monday, Aug. 3, 2015 2-4 and 7-9 PM�� H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY���