VINONA B. WATKINS-ALSBACH

Services: 1 p.m. Friday, June 9, Mount Pleasant Southern Baptist Church, Elkland, under the direction of Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home of Buffalo. Burial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Elkland.

Bro. David Larimer will officiate. Music will be conducted by Steve and Alicia West. Online condolences can be made at cantlonotterness.com.

Escorts are Cris Watkins, Derek Watkins, Daron Watkins, John Watkins, Justin Watkins and Philip Watkins. Honorary escorts are Philip Watkins Jr., Ora Hostetler, Leroy Perry, James Howe, John Howe, Chuck Howe and George Crowder.

Vinona B. Watkins-Alsbach, 94, was born April 16, 1923, in Vernon County, the daughter of Albert and Jewell (Johnston) Cronk. She died June 7, 2017, in Republic.

She was reared in Vernon County, attended grade school in the Nevada area and graduated from Sheldon High School.

She was united in marriage with Philip “Peck” Watkins. Together they lived in St. Louis and Conway, and then settled on the family farm in Elkland. Her husband died in 1988, and 11 years later she was united in marriage with Frank Alsbach.

She loved playing the guitar, singing hymns and playing the harmonica. She was a great cook, everyone knew her for her gooseberry pie and she always cooked for the farmhands.

She loved her Lord and was a longtime member of Mount Pleasant Church, where she also taught Sunday school.

Vinona was preceded in death by her parents; and her two husbands: Philip Watkins and Frank Alsbach.

Survivors include her three sons: Curtis and wife, Loretta Watkins, Philip and wife, Beverlea Watkins, and Gerald and wife, Sue Watkins; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many friends and family who will all truly miss her.