Gary Lee Watkins

Born August 31, 1940 in Pekin, Illinois to Asa Ervie and Edith Mae (Skaggs) Watkins, he married Martha Louise Bays on June 5, 1959 in Pekin. She preceded him in death on March 20, 2025. He was also preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Charles Robert, Roy Raymond, Virgil Wayne, Delbert Darrel, Harold Richard, Wilbert Dean and Orville J.; and one sister, Glenna Miller.

Surviving are two daughters, Glenna (Stephen) Roripaugh of Manito and Edith (Kurt) Wistehuff of Brimfield; one son, Kenneth Watkins of Hurley, Wisconsin; ten grandchildren; many great-grandchildren.

Gary had worked at Petrov-Watkins Insurance in Tremont for 35 years and later was the owner of Watkins & Sons Construction in Manito.

A loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Gary enjoyed taking pictures and traveling while seeing what God had given us.

Gary was a longtime and faithful member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in rural Manito.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor John Worsham will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

The family is inviting everyone to join them at Avanti’s in Pekin following the burial for food and fellowship.

Memorial contributions may be given to Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 32530 East County Road 2180 North, Manito, Illinois 61546.

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