Herbert Joseph "Joe" Watkins

Herbert Joseph "Joe" Watkins, of Circleville passed peacefully Friday, August 10, 2007 while in the company of family members at his home. He was 93.

Joe was born in Utica, N.Y. on June 23, 1914, the son of Herbert Joseph and Elizabeth Mahoney Watkins.

He retired as a Machinist at Kiely and Mueller, Middletown, was a member of the Teamsters Union, American Federation of Musican's local 804 and The Untied States Trotting Association. Joe was an accomplished musician playing with many local bands; he also loved horses. He owned and operated Misty Meadows Farms in Circleville for many years where he trained standard bred horses.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Eleanor Woerner Watkins at home; devoted father of three daughters Patricia McQueen of Bloomingburg, Barbara Sleight and her husband Russell of Horseheads and JoAnne Talmage and her husband John of Dunedin, Fla.; grandfather of Jeffrey Reid, Brian Reid, James McQueen Jr., Keith McQueen, Lisa Schuhle, Russell Sleight, John Talmage, Jennifer McNeil and Jill Talmage; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his three brothers Richard, John "Jack" and Robert "Bob" Watkins.

Memorial Services will be held at Morse Funeral Home Inc., 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 16 with the Reverend Kenneth Wonderland officiating.

Entombment of his ashes will be in the Mother, Queen of Peace Mausoleum, Middletown.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Robert Dinsmore for his compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Road, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown.