Memorial services for Dennis J. Watkins, age 79, will be 4:00 pm Saturday at Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home 667 Mentor Ave. Painesville where friends will be received from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Saturday.

A Painesville Twp. resident, Dennis was born on May 21, 1936 in Cleveland and passed away on March 30, 2016 at TriPoint Medical Center in Concord.

Dennis graduated from St. Joseph High School with the class of 1955, where he played football under Coach Gutbroad and received his Bachelor's degree from Lake Erie College. He served in the National Guard.

Dennis retired in 1991 as an engineer for the former Ohio Bell Telephone Co. and also worked for the Painesville Country Club.

He was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Concord.

Dennis was a former Golden Gloves boxer, he enjoyed golfing, hiking and mountain climbing and racing his harness horses at Northfield park as well as various county fairs.

Dennis is survived by,

Wife, Barbara (Dwyer) Watkins, whom he married on Oct. 27, 1956

Children, Michael Watkins and Kathleen (Bryon) McCroskey

Grandson, Marc Reichert

Sister, Betty Jane Harmon

He also leaves nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews and great great nephews

Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph J. and Irene (Yendral) Watkins, grandson Michael Reichert

Contributions in Mr. Watkins' memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777