David William Watkins, 82, of Indiana, died Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Beacon Ridge Nursing Home. Born in Indiana on April 21, 1941, he was a son of the late Charlotte M. Salsgiver Watkins and Bryner D. Watkins. He was the husband of Jacquelyn D. Jones Watkins, his high school sweet heart, whom he married August 10, 1964. Together they raised one daughter, Dr. Noel Watkins, DVM who resides in Sunderland, MA with her husband, Dr. Brian Kane PhD.
Dave was a graduate of Indiana High School, Class of 1959. He later earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana State College and then a masters degree in Counseling Education from ISC. He used his counseling degree for two years as a volunteer counselor at the OCSI. Later in life he put his counseling degree to use as a counselor at the Christian Counseling Service of Indiana.
He was a stellar athlete both in high school and college, lettering multiple times in football, and track at Indiana High School qualifying for the State Track Meet his Jr. and Sr. years. At the college level, Dave lettered in track in his freshman, sophomore and senior years. He was also active in the Army ROTC during his years at IUP & was commissioned a 2nd Lt. upon graduation. He served his country for 6 years.
After returning to Indiana from active duty, Dave was offered five YMCA Director positions at various YMCA’s in the northeast, but he chose the position at the Indiana YMCA because he wanted to give back to his hometown community where he grew up. During the seven years he was employed by the YMCA, he developed 41 programs without having a “YMCA” building. His tireless efforts throughout the county led to a YMCA building with offices, locker rooms and a pool. Dave was most proud of the competitive swim program that he and Don Seagren started in a backyard pool. Today, that swim program competes nationally. He continued to coach swimming at the “Y” until he was asked to coach swimming at IUP where he coached on the collegiate level for eight years.
Dave is remembered by many in Indiana Borough as the former tax collector, a position he held for 36 years. After retiring from tax collecting, he completed a P.S.U. Master Gardening Course.
He was a former member of the Indiana Fire Association, responding to fires and emergencies for 20 years. He was also a member of the Indiana Rotary Club where he had once been the club secretary.
He previously served on the Board of Directors at ICCAP as the President and Treasurer.
Dave’s commitment to his Christian faith was enhanced by his active membership from 1955 through 2023 in Grace Church. He participated and volunteered for numerous church functions, committees, and activities like the church Food Bank where he was active for 20 years. Most of his life was dedicated to serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dave’s life commitment was first to his Lord, then to his country and finally to his family.
In addition to his wife, daughter and son-in-law, he is remembered by his siblings: Kathy Spory and her husband, Col. Robert E. Spory, Belleville, IL and by James L. Watkins and his wife, Susan, Denver, CO. He is also survived by his nephews: Robert E. Spory, Jr. and Jeffrey Spory.
Friends will be received at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, January 6th 2024 in the Parlor Rooms at Grace Church, Indiana. His funeral service will follow in the church sanctuary at 11 a.m. Rev. William Blair officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the IUP ROTC will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Service arrangements through Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory of Indiana.
Online condolences may be offered at rbfh.net .
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Church, 712 Church St., Indiana, PA 15701.
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