Irene M. Watkins

Irene M. Watkins, 93, of Decatur, passed on Tuesday afternoon, May 19, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital.

She was born on January 19, 1933, in Berne, Indiana, to the late L. Reuben and Rachel P. (Steury) Schwartz. Irene was united in marriage to Marvin D. Watkins on July 28, 1951, at Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church.

She was a faithful member of Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church where she served as the church pianist for many years.

Irene graduated in 1951 from Adams Central High School. She retired in 1995 from Norwest Bank after ten years of service as a bank teller and had previously worked for the BMV in Decatur.

In her free time, Irene enjoyed crocheting, sewing, gardening, and working in her yard.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin Watkins of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Elaine (Stephen) Sliger of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Kevin (Annette) Watkins of Decatur, Indiana; sister, Flossie (Robert) Cable of Auburn, Indiana; six grandchildren, Michelle (Brett) Aschliman, Matthew (Chasity) Sliger, Melissa Sliger, Amanda Champion, Abbie (Darren) Covington, and Adams Watkins; nine great-grandchildren, Madison Aschliman, Morgan Aschliman, Mallory Aschliman, Brayden Sliger, Dylan Sliger, Caleb Sliger, Patrick Champion, Audrey Champion, and William Covington.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leonard and Dick Schwartz, and two sisters, Jeanette Koomler and Carol Yager.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana, with Pastor John McCullough officiating. Burial will follow at Decatur Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to American Legion Post #43 Color Guard or Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church.