Diane Watkins
Jonesville - Diane (Dee Dee) Downey Watkins, age 72, of Jonesville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 17, 2021. She was born on July 23, 1948, in Olney, Illinois. Her parents were Rodney and Sandra Grantham. She married William "Bill" Watkins on June 20, 1970; he survives.
Diane graduated from Morgan Township High School in Indiana in 1966. She was incredibly proud to earn an Associate's Degree from Jackson College in 2002 and a Bachelor's Degree from Spring Arbor College in 2007.
Diane began her professional career in 1987 as a librarian at Gier Elementary School. In 1991, she began a 20-year career at Hillsdale College, beginning in the library, then the Alumni Office, and finally taking on her favorite position as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Women. After retiring from Hillsdale College in 2011, Diane stayed active in many ways.
She loved being a grandmother, gardening, puzzles, crocheting, sewing, and collecting paperweights and chicken figurines. She enjoyed participating in the women's bowling league in Litchfield. One of her favorite pastimes was tending to her many bluebird boxes. She delighted in seeing the bluebird babies grow - often chasing away raccoons and sparrows to help keep the babies safe until they could leave the nest. Diane also enjoyed her job of driving for the Hillsdale Senior Center, spending time with her Downey and Miller cousins, and weekly breakfasts with her dear friend Glenda Barkey.
Diane was a very loving person who always prioritized and supported her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a large family that all miss her dearly, including her husband of 51 years; Bill, three children; Brian (Barbara) Watkins of Van Buren Township, Allison Watkins of Newberry, and Andy (Kathryn) Watkins of Hillsdale, ten grandchildren; Michael, Megan, William Kelsey, Asher, Avery, Melissa, Madison, Haleigh, Connor and Gabby, one great-granddaughter; Iris Mae, four siblings; Mike (Kim) Grantham, Steve (Carmela) Grantham, Ted Downey, Ed Brumley, and a sister-in-law; Dhel Grantham.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Grantham.
Memorial services for Diane will be Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Interment will follow at Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, July 23, 2021, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM., at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Allen Area Historical Society, Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, or Shriners Hospitals.
facts Published by The Hillsdale Daily News from Jul. 19 to Jul. 20, 2021.
Jonesville - Diane (Dee Dee) Downey Watkins, age 72, of Jonesville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 17, 2021. She was born on July 23, 1948, in Olney, Illinois. Her parents were Rodney and Sandra Grantham. She married William "Bill" Watkins on June 20, 1970; he survives.
Diane graduated from Morgan Township High School in Indiana in 1966. She was incredibly proud to earn an Associate's Degree from Jackson College in 2002 and a Bachelor's Degree from Spring Arbor College in 2007.
Diane began her professional career in 1987 as a librarian at Gier Elementary School. In 1991, she began a 20-year career at Hillsdale College, beginning in the library, then the Alumni Office, and finally taking on her favorite position as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Women. After retiring from Hillsdale College in 2011, Diane stayed active in many ways.
She loved being a grandmother, gardening, puzzles, crocheting, sewing, and collecting paperweights and chicken figurines. She enjoyed participating in the women's bowling league in Litchfield. One of her favorite pastimes was tending to her many bluebird boxes. She delighted in seeing the bluebird babies grow - often chasing away raccoons and sparrows to help keep the babies safe until they could leave the nest. Diane also enjoyed her job of driving for the Hillsdale Senior Center, spending time with her Downey and Miller cousins, and weekly breakfasts with her dear friend Glenda Barkey.
Diane was a very loving person who always prioritized and supported her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a large family that all miss her dearly, including her husband of 51 years; Bill, three children; Brian (Barbara) Watkins of Van Buren Township, Allison Watkins of Newberry, and Andy (Kathryn) Watkins of Hillsdale, ten grandchildren; Michael, Megan, William Kelsey, Asher, Avery, Melissa, Madison, Haleigh, Connor and Gabby, one great-granddaughter; Iris Mae, four siblings; Mike (Kim) Grantham, Steve (Carmela) Grantham, Ted Downey, Ed Brumley, and a sister-in-law; Dhel Grantham.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Grantham.
Memorial services for Diane will be Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Interment will follow at Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, July 23, 2021, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM., at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Allen Area Historical Society, Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, or Shriners Hospitals.
facts Published by The Hillsdale Daily News from Jul. 19 to Jul. 20, 2021.
Diane Watkins
Jonesville - Diane (Dee Dee) Downey Watkins, age 72, of Jonesville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 17, 2021. She was born on July 23, 1948, in Olney, Illinois. Her parents were Rodney and Sandra Grantham. She married William "Bill" Watkins on June 20, 1970; he survives.
Diane graduated from Morgan Township High School in Indiana in 1966. She was incredibly proud to earn an Associate's Degree from Jackson College in 2002 and a Bachelor's Degree from Spring Arbor College in 2007.
Diane began her professional career in 1987 as a librarian at Gier Elementary School. In 1991, she began a 20-year career at Hillsdale College, beginning in the library, then the Alumni Office, and finally taking on her favorite position as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Women. After retiring from Hillsdale College in 2011, Diane stayed active in many ways.
She loved being a grandmother, gardening, puzzles, crocheting, sewing, and collecting paperweights and chicken figurines. She enjoyed participating in the women's bowling league in Litchfield. One of her favorite pastimes was tending to her many bluebird boxes. She delighted in seeing the bluebird babies grow - often chasing away raccoons and sparrows to help keep the babies safe until they could leave the nest. Diane also enjoyed her job of driving for the Hillsdale Senior Center, spending time with her Downey and Miller cousins, and weekly breakfasts with her dear friend Glenda Barkey.
Diane was a very loving person who always prioritized and supported her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a large family that all miss her dearly, including her husband of 51 years; Bill, three children; Brian (Barbara) Watkins of Van Buren Township, Allison Watkins of Newberry, and Andy (Kathryn) Watkins of Hillsdale, ten grandchildren; Michael, Megan, William Kelsey, Asher, Avery, Melissa, Madison, Haleigh, Connor and Gabby, one great-granddaughter; Iris Mae, four siblings; Mike (Kim) Grantham, Steve (Carmela) Grantham, Ted Downey, Ed Brumley, and a sister-in-law; Dhel Grantham.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Grantham.
Memorial services for Diane will be Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Interment will follow at Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, July 23, 2021, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM., at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Allen Area Historical Society, Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, or Shriners Hospitals.
facts Published by The Hillsdale Daily News from Jul. 19 to Jul. 20, 2021.
Jonesville - Diane (Dee Dee) Downey Watkins, age 72, of Jonesville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 17, 2021. She was born on July 23, 1948, in Olney, Illinois. Her parents were Rodney and Sandra Grantham. She married William "Bill" Watkins on June 20, 1970; he survives.
Diane graduated from Morgan Township High School in Indiana in 1966. She was incredibly proud to earn an Associate's Degree from Jackson College in 2002 and a Bachelor's Degree from Spring Arbor College in 2007.
Diane began her professional career in 1987 as a librarian at Gier Elementary School. In 1991, she began a 20-year career at Hillsdale College, beginning in the library, then the Alumni Office, and finally taking on her favorite position as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Women. After retiring from Hillsdale College in 2011, Diane stayed active in many ways.
She loved being a grandmother, gardening, puzzles, crocheting, sewing, and collecting paperweights and chicken figurines. She enjoyed participating in the women's bowling league in Litchfield. One of her favorite pastimes was tending to her many bluebird boxes. She delighted in seeing the bluebird babies grow - often chasing away raccoons and sparrows to help keep the babies safe until they could leave the nest. Diane also enjoyed her job of driving for the Hillsdale Senior Center, spending time with her Downey and Miller cousins, and weekly breakfasts with her dear friend Glenda Barkey.
Diane was a very loving person who always prioritized and supported her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a large family that all miss her dearly, including her husband of 51 years; Bill, three children; Brian (Barbara) Watkins of Van Buren Township, Allison Watkins of Newberry, and Andy (Kathryn) Watkins of Hillsdale, ten grandchildren; Michael, Megan, William Kelsey, Asher, Avery, Melissa, Madison, Haleigh, Connor and Gabby, one great-granddaughter; Iris Mae, four siblings; Mike (Kim) Grantham, Steve (Carmela) Grantham, Ted Downey, Ed Brumley, and a sister-in-law; Dhel Grantham.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Grantham.
Memorial services for Diane will be Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Interment will follow at Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, July 23, 2021, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM., at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Allen Area Historical Society, Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, or Shriners Hospitals.
facts Published by The Hillsdale Daily News from Jul. 19 to Jul. 20, 2021.
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