Norris
Norris W. Watkins
Norris passed away Friday, September 25, 2020 at his home in Cooper Township.
He was born October 4, 1934 in Kalamazoo the son of Harold and Mary (Metzger) Watkins. Norris proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. For many years he had owned and operated Watkins Machine Shop until his retirement in 1998. In his free time Norris enjoyed micro midget racing, sports cars and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was a member of the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Winnebago Club and the Sports Car Club of America. On September 22, 1956 at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo he married Sandra Sabo who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Julie Wright, Stacie Belcheff and Matthew Watkins; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Watkins; grandchildren, Alexandra (Braulio) Martinez, Harold (Kayla) Watkins, Scott Crummel, Jessica (Josh) Cramton, Cassandra (Marcus) Keech, Christopher (Angel) Larsson, Kalley Shoemaker, Emily Boufant, Nichole (Nino) Torres, Jamie (Jason) Sheren and Brad Wendt; 21 great-grandchildren and his sisters, Shirley Howard, Katie (Jim) Falduto and Virginia (Ed) Koren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Jeffrey.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine Cathedral.
Burial will take place at West Cooper Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Norris may be made to
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Norris W. Watkins
Condolence Messages
Daryl DeHuff
September 25, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Sorry for your family’s loss.
Reply
Shirley Howard
September 25, 2020 at 6:52 pm
I love you so much, I remember when we were kids and we all picked on Ginny, I always treasure all the memory of us love you Norrie!!!!!!!!
Reply
Kay Newton Falduto
September 25, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Norrie. I will miss you so much. I have so many wonderful memories of us. When I told you good bye Tuesday night I knew you would go to heaven and that was my comfort. I will always love you. Prayers always Katie
Reply
Conni Pierce
September 25, 2020 at 8:29 pm
My condolences huggs to the family
Reply
Jan Myers-Carpenter
September 25, 2020 at 9:49 pm
Sandra and family: I am so sorry to hear of Norrie’s passing. I will always remember him at ball games when
Harold and Nathan were playing little league to high school baseball. Always very interested in what his
grandchildren were doing and willing to go watch them. He always was friendly and easy to talk to. I
know this is hard for all of you and I wish you much peace in the future. Keep all of those memories alive.
Talk about him always and time will help heal your broken hearts.
Reply
Kathy Pinks
September 26, 2020 at 6:37 am
So sorry for you loss
Reply
Kathy Hageman
September 27, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Sandy and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the times that we spent together, Norrie was always an interesting and fun person.
Gods grace and peace be with you at this time and always. Love Kathy Hageman
Reply
Russ Schipper
September 28, 2020 at 11:18 am
Sandy, I’m sorry to learn of Norrie’s passing. But, I recall with g,at fondness the many sports car club events with you and Norrie, plus Harold and Mary and of course Al and Arlene. You were all so kind and helpful to this, at the time, kid.
Reply
Phyllis A Bogren
September 28, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Sandy, I’m sorry to read about Norrie’s death. He was a really great guy. I know he will be missed by many people.
Blessings, Phyllis Bogren
Reply
Dave & Annette Mathis
September 29, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Sandra and family, Dave and I are so sorry for your loss!! We have known Nori since we were kids and he was an incredible man.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time ❤
Reply
Linda Burton
October 1, 2020 at 10:31 am
Sandra and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Norrie was a great man. Your family was always so special to us. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. May the angels welcome him to paradise.
Linda (Phetteplace) Burton
Reply
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He was born October 4, 1934 in Kalamazoo the son of Harold and Mary (Metzger) Watkins. Norris proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. For many years he had owned and operated Watkins Machine Shop until his retirement in 1998. In his free time Norris enjoyed micro midget racing, sports cars and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was a member of the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Winnebago Club and the Sports Car Club of America. On September 22, 1956 at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo he married Sandra Sabo who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Julie Wright, Stacie Belcheff and Matthew Watkins; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Watkins; grandchildren, Alexandra (Braulio) Martinez, Harold (Kayla) Watkins, Scott Crummel, Jessica (Josh) Cramton, Cassandra (Marcus) Keech, Christopher (Angel) Larsson, Kalley Shoemaker, Emily Boufant, Nichole (Nino) Torres, Jamie (Jason) Sheren and Brad Wendt; 21 great-grandchildren and his sisters, Shirley Howard, Katie (Jim) Falduto and Virginia (Ed) Koren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Jeffrey.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine Cathedral.
Burial will take place at West Cooper Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Norris may be made to
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Norris W. Watkins
Condolence Messages
Daryl DeHuff
September 25, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Sorry for your family’s loss.
Reply
Shirley Howard
September 25, 2020 at 6:52 pm
I love you so much, I remember when we were kids and we all picked on Ginny, I always treasure all the memory of us love you Norrie!!!!!!!!
Reply
Kay Newton Falduto
September 25, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Norrie. I will miss you so much. I have so many wonderful memories of us. When I told you good bye Tuesday night I knew you would go to heaven and that was my comfort. I will always love you. Prayers always Katie
Reply
Conni Pierce
September 25, 2020 at 8:29 pm
My condolences huggs to the family
Reply
Jan Myers-Carpenter
September 25, 2020 at 9:49 pm
Sandra and family: I am so sorry to hear of Norrie’s passing. I will always remember him at ball games when
Harold and Nathan were playing little league to high school baseball. Always very interested in what his
grandchildren were doing and willing to go watch them. He always was friendly and easy to talk to. I
know this is hard for all of you and I wish you much peace in the future. Keep all of those memories alive.
Talk about him always and time will help heal your broken hearts.
Reply
Kathy Pinks
September 26, 2020 at 6:37 am
So sorry for you loss
Reply
Kathy Hageman
September 27, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Sandy and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the times that we spent together, Norrie was always an interesting and fun person.
Gods grace and peace be with you at this time and always. Love Kathy Hageman
Reply
Russ Schipper
September 28, 2020 at 11:18 am
Sandy, I’m sorry to learn of Norrie’s passing. But, I recall with g,at fondness the many sports car club events with you and Norrie, plus Harold and Mary and of course Al and Arlene. You were all so kind and helpful to this, at the time, kid.
Reply
Phyllis A Bogren
September 28, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Sandy, I’m sorry to read about Norrie’s death. He was a really great guy. I know he will be missed by many people.
Blessings, Phyllis Bogren
Reply
Dave & Annette Mathis
September 29, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Sandra and family, Dave and I are so sorry for your loss!! We have known Nori since we were kids and he was an incredible man.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time ❤
Reply
Linda Burton
October 1, 2020 at 10:31 am
Sandra and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Norrie was a great man. Your family was always so special to us. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. May the angels welcome him to paradise.
Linda (Phetteplace) Burton
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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*
Your Email
*
Their Name
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Their Email
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Message
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