Earl L. Watkins, 75, of Milan, passed away Saturday May 3, 2014 at home.A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Wednesday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm Tuesday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan. Burial will be in Viola Cemetery. Memorials may be left to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Milan.

Earl was born on April 9, 1939 in St. James, MO., the son of Everett LeRoy and Ida May Watkins. He married Lorraine E. Minteer on September 20, 1958 in Sugar Grove, IL.

Mr. Watkins was first employed at Moline Iron Works from 1959 to 1964. He later worked at John Deere Malleable Works, Moline from 1964 to 1969 before moving to the John Deere Foundry, Silvis until his retirement in 1989.

He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, UAW Local 81, Rock Island Conservation Club and former member of Superstition Springs Treasure Hunters Club, Mesa, AZ. Earl enjoyed his children and grandchildren, traveling, fishing, gold prospecting, metal detecting and was a avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; children, Shirley (Kevin) Tanner, Milan, Bill Watkins, Horizon City, TX, Barbara (Meaalii) Salanoa, Horizon City, TX, David (Christene) Watkins, Milan; grandchildren, Jason (Anabel) Huebner, El Paso, TX, Lauren (Chris) Selmon, Horizon City, TX, Stephanie Tanner, Milan; great granddaughter, Mackenzie Elizabeth Selmon; sister, Marie (Darrell) Burrill, Aledo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Dolores Boyd and May Ruth Elizabeth Watkins; brothers, Russell and Joe Watkins.