Services
Obituary
Clarence Joseph “Swatty” Watson, 94, of Britt passed away Friday, April 16, 2010 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital after a short bout with cancer.
Funeral services for Swatty Watson will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt with Reverend Henry P. Huber officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.
Visitation for Swatty Watson will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. A scriptural wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel.
Clarence “Swatty,” the son of Carl and Rose (Markl) Watson, was born May 16, 1915 in Buffalo Center. Swatty went to country school until the 8th grade when he started working on the farm with his parents.
In July 1944, Swatty was united in marriage to Marge Hanna in Buffalo Center. To this union, 2 daughters, Janice and Jane, were born. The family farmed near Ventura, then south of Hutchins. In 1951, they moved to a farm near Woden. In the late fifties, they purchased the restaurant and gas station in Hutchins.
Swatty also worked for Sankey Sand and Gravel and the Hancock County Secondary Roads running maintainer, snowplow and dragline. In 1969 they moved to Britt where he still resided. Swatty worked part-time for the County until the age of 89.
Swatty and Marge did woodworking for many years. Swatty enjoyed dancing several times a week with his friends.
Swatty is survived by his daughters: Janice (Gary) Gelner and Jane (Joe) Cook, all of Britt; 5 grandchildren: Holly Gelner and fiancé Mike Rossi, Jon (Jaime) Gelner, Jeremy (Jean) Cook, Joshua (Tonya) Cook and Jacob Cook. 8 great-grand children: Lola, Henry, Will, Cody, Jasmine, Jade, Caleb and Hannah; one sister, Shirley Watson; and special friend Lorrie Hart.
Swatty is preceded in death by his parents, wife Marge, sisters: Lucille Ebeling, Marie Schleuger, Florence Stuflick and Dorothy Miller and brothers: Donald and Kenny.