Lenard Watson

May 26, 1933 - July 18, 2012

Lenard Earl Watson, age 79, passed away at the Pleasant Care Living Center of Pleasantville on July 14, 2012. Lenard was born in Midridge, Missouri on May 26, 1933 to Edger Earl and Alice (Patterson) Watson. At the age of 13 LenardÂ?s mother died and he was raised by his extended family in Illinois and Missouri. Lenard married Vada Rae Isenberg on June 14, 1971. They were blessed with six children: Gene, Carolyn, Pam, John, Jerry, and Laura. Lenard and Vada divorced in 1986. On October 29, 1996 Lenard and Mildred Lucille (Kent) Funk were united in marriage. They shared 15 years of marriage together, before LenardÂ?s passing. Lenard worked in the family business of logging. He worked for Wes Watson Saw Mill east of Hartford. He also repaired lawnmowers and cut firewood while living in Pleasantville. Lenard lived in several different towns in Illinois and Missouri. He lived for 11 years in Pleasantville and from 1996 until just recently he lived in Lucas. Lenard had moved to Knoxville to live with his daughter and most recently was living at the Pleasant Care Living Center. Lenard was a self-taught musician. He could play many different instruments for Blue Grass and Gospel music. He also enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, animals and tinkering on outside projects. His children and grandchildren were the love of his life and his world. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Mildred Funk of Lucas; his five children: Gene Schaller of Knoxville, Carolyn Hill and husband Billy of Huntsville, TN, Pam Phelan and husband Ray of Knoxville, Jerry Watson of Knoxville, and Laura Watson of Knoxville; one step son Kevin Isenberg and wife Debbie of Delavan, IL; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Lenard was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; one son John Edger Watson; three sisters; and one brother. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday July 18th, at the Winfield Funeral Home, with Rev. Michael Miller officiating. Burial will follow services at Graceland Cemetery of Knoxville. LenardÂ?s family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or to the Batten Disease Support & Research Association. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com.