Earl W. Watson, 96, of Tuscola, IL, died at 12:16 p.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at his residence.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Tuscola Church of the Nazarene, 1001 Egyptian Trail, Tuscola, IL, with Rev. Joseph Carter officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. on Saturday until the time of the service at the church. Burial will follow in the Tuscola Township Cemetery with military graveside rites accorded.

Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Mr. Watson was born January 5, 1923 in Rosiclare, IL, the son of Ollie and Daisy Estes Watson. He married Mary Ruth Jeter on October 11, 1941 in Jackson, MO. She preceded him in death on December 14, 2011.

Survivors include his daughters: Deanna Darlene Rahn and husband Gary of Springfield, IL, Brenda Kay Weaver and husband: Tim of West Frankfort, IL, grandchildren: Dendi Gould and son: Travis of Tuscola; Shane Gould and wife: Lindsey of Tuscola, Trevor Weaver and wife: Briana of Evansville, IN and their children: Tanner and Bralyn, Tyler Weaver of Flossmoor, IL and special friends: Dick and Jackie Skuta, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Earl was a US Army veteran serving during World War II in the southern Philippines, Luzon and New Guinea.

He worked as a bricklayer at the Peabody Coal Mine in West Frankfort, IL prior to moving to Tuscola in 1956. He worked as a bricklayer at the USI Chemical Company in Tuscola prior to his retirement in 1980. Earl was a longtime member and served as the superintendent during the construction of the current Tuscola Church of the Nazarene. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Earl enjoyed woodcarving, boating, motorcycle riding, traveling and he especially loved cars. He loved his family and church family very much. He has been reunited with his loving wife in heaven.

Memorials are suggested to Tuscola Church of the Nazarene.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com