Chesterton resident Ozzie Watkins Jr., 67, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, at the V.N.A. Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso.

He was born June 16, 1937, in Gary, the son of Ozzie A. and Vivian (Harris) Watkins. His mother survives in Chesterton.

He is also survived by three sons, Patrick Watkins of Florida, Peter (wife Jo) Watkins of Haines City, Fla., and Terrence (wife Wanda) Watkins of Bapson Park, Fla.; two daughters, Vivian Besser of Chesterton and Beverly Watkins of Bakersfield, Calif.; three sisters, Barb (husband James) Brandt, Nola (husband Charles) Hall, and Beverly (husband Gene) Yocum, all of Chesterton; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Watkins was an area resident since 2000 and retired from U.S. Steel in 1999 after 42 years of service as a millwright. He belonged to the Fellowship Assembly of God Church.

Funeral services, Pastor Lorne Hodum officiating, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway in Chesterton. He will be interred at Chesterton Cemetery.

Visitation is scheduled from 12 p.m. Thursday until the time of service at 2 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans.

Memorials may be made to V.N.A. Hospice of Porter County, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46384.

Posted 10/11/2004