OBITUARY: Donald Joseph "Joe" Wathen
Donald Joseph "Joe" Wathen, 72, of North Vernon, Ind., formerly of Harrisburg, passed away at 9:58 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at his residence.
Mr. Wathen was born on Oct. 14, 1941, in Harrisburg, the son of Joseph L. and Kate Hine Wathen. He married Judith Rae "Judie" Wasson on Dec. 27, 1964, in Harrisburg; she survives.
Mr. Wathen worked as a equipment operator for the Sahara Coal Company in Harrisburg for 25 years and worked five years for Heartland Security in Southern Illinois as a private investigator. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1964 where he served on the Honor Guard for President John F. Kennedy on June 25, 1963, in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was a 1959 graduate of Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg and received his associate degree in law enforcement from Southeastern Illinois College. He attended Tea Creek Baptist Church in Lovett, Ind., where he served as a deacon. He enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and turkey, boating, camping and being outdoors; but he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Judie Wathen of North Vernon, Ind.; two sons, Brad (Sonya) Wathen of Dupont, Ind., and Brian (Marilyn) Wathen of North Vernon, Ind.; two brothers, John (Joanne) Wathen and Van (Jynelle) Wathen both of Carrier Mills; one sister, Robin (Charles) Stricklin of Harrisburg; seven grandchildren, Brock Wathen, Brooks Wathen, Brantley Wathen all of Dupont, Ind., Sami Wathen, Katie Wathen, Tyler Wathen and Abby Wathen all of North Vernon, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be conducted at noon Monday, March 31, 2014, at the Tea Creek Baptist Church in Lovett, Ind., with the Rev. Ben Morris officiating. Friends may call at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon, Ind., 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon, Ind., with military graveside services provided by members of Matt Hester Post No. 2021, V.F.W. and the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Schneck Medical Center Foundation Hospice.
You are welcome to leave the family a message of condolence at www.dovesharprudicel.com