Joe Franklin Watson
Joe Franklin Watson, 82, of Carbondale, left this life to enter Heaven at 12:26 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2014 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale following a brief illness.
Joe was born Dec. 5, 1931 at Bush, Ill., the son of Rollie Franklin and Golda Rivers (Barwick) Watson. He graduated from Elverado High School in Elkville, Ill. in 1950. He served four years with the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict as an aircraft mechanic. After his service to our country, he attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, majoring in chemistry and graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 1963. During his 40-plus year career as a chemist, he worked in many and varied industries. Many of those years were with Consolidated Coal Mine performing quality control. At the age of 70, he earned a teaching certificate and served as a substitute teacher in many southern Illinois grade schools and high schools for the next 11 years.
On April 14, 1989, he married Shirley Carruthers in Paducah, Ky. and she survives. Joe and Shirley enjoyed a happy and active 25 years together, filled with the things they loved most - church, family, friends and travel.
Joe was a member of the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro, where he attended and loved teaching Sunday School for many years until May of 2014. He was also a member of the Murphysboro American Legion Post 127.
He is survived by his wife of Carbondale, his children - Karen Watson and friend John McDermott of Carbondale, Kristopher and Julie Watson of Du Quoin, step son - Jeffery and Tamara Carruthers of Glenwood, Iowa. He was the proud grandfather of seven including Joseph Miller and Chelsea of Nashville, Tenn., Jennifer Miller of Carbondale, Braden, Braylee and Aubrey Watson of Du Quoin, Seth Carruthers of Austin, Tex. and Shawn Carruthers of Glenwood, Iowa, one brother - James and Norma Watson of Columbia, Ill. and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sister - Shirley and John Lenzini and step son - Scott Carruthers.
Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro with Rev. Earl Renshaw and Rev. Larry Gilbert officiating.
Those attending the service are asked to go directly to the cemetery.
Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Murphysboro American Legion Post 127.
Friends may make memorials to the Murphysboro United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.