Earl Lewis Watson

Earl Lewis Watson, 84, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 from his home with his family at his side.A son of the late Arthur Harrison and Grace Marie (Hinton) Watson, Earl was born March 27, 1927 in Carroll County, Ohio.Following the completion of eighth grade, Earl left school to go to work in order to help provide for his family. Not only did he provide income for his family but also helped take care of his siblings at home. This attitude toward work and family would remain throughout the rest of his life.After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1946, Earl went to work for Warner-Swasey at New Philadelphia and would retire from what was later known as Gradall in 1989. Also during his first 20 years of employment with Warner-Swasey, Earl simultaneously worked for Dover News Agency delivering the Cleveland Plain Dealer during late night hours. As if two jobs were not enough for Earl, he would often work a third job driving a dump truck hauling coal and firewood. Even after his retirement, Earl continued his working ways serving as a consultant for Gradall and for Commercial Honing at Dover.Earl was an avid woodworker and gardener and was especially proud of building his own home. He made numerous crafts for his grandchildren and also made many cradles for newborn family members. He and his wife, Beverly, also were the owners and operators of the former Angel Loft.One of Earl’s greatest passions in his life was his 1947 Harley Davidson Knuckle Head motorcycle which is now on display in a museum in West Virginia. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia and AARP.He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly (Evans) Watson whom he married on June 14, 1953; three daughters, Robin Watson of New Philadelphia, Laura Yockey of Bolivar and Christee (Mark) Starinieri of Dover; six grandchildren, Zachary, Jamie and Brett Yockey, Nicholas Watson and Kyla and Kory Starinieri; two great grandchildren, Avery Sutek and Alexandria Marino; a special family friend, Patsy Simmers of New Philadelphia; two sisters, Vera Kovacs and Velma Flaherty and three brothers, Virgil, Arthur and Harold Watson.Earl was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Thomas E. Watson.The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 3, 2011 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Hugh Berry and Rev. William Haggis officiating. Following the service, a memorial reception will be held in the Hospitality Room in the Geib Funeral Center. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at Dover.Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home website.Contributions may be made in Earl’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or to Haven of Rest Ministries, P.O. Box 547, Akron, OH 44309.