Denton D Watson

TOPEKA ~  Denton D. Watson, 84, of Topeka, passed away at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Havana Health Care.

Born February 17, 1928 in Salem, Missouri to Lonnie and Janie (Ferguson) Watson, he married Wanda Revelle on March 3, 1951 in Pekin.  She died August 29, 2008 in Hopedale.  He was also preceded in death by his parents; three grandsons, Landon Burget, Jeremy “Hoss” Watson, and Kevin Dean Watson; one great-grandson, Wesley Burget; one sister, Lela Todd; and one brother, William L. Watson.

Surviving are five sons, Randy (Gail) Watson, Russell (Leslie) Watson, and Michel Watson, all of Green Valley, Denton (Norma) Watson of Collins, Iowa, and Gary (Michelle) Watson of  Manito; one daughter, Lisa (Todd) Bailey of Forest City; fifteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Delola Terrell of Topeka, Lois Voyles of South Pekin, and Shannon (Eddie) Pyatt of McAllen, Texas.

Denton had worked construction for 11 years out of Laborers Local 231 in Pekin.  He retired as a 4th generation logger.

He enjoyed hunting with his children and grandchildren.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home & Crematory in Pekin.  The Rev. James Terrell will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.   Burial will be in Forest City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Havana Health Care, 609 North Harphman Street, Havana, IL 62644 or the American Cancer Society, 4234 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614 (specify on check memo: for prostate cancer).

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com