Rev. Tom W. Watkins, 78, of Big Beaver, died Monday, August 25, 2008.

       Born April 4, 1930 in Plymouth Township, PA, Luzerne County, he was the son of the late Thomas and Carrie Case Watkins.  He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in Korea during the Korean Conflict.  He was a pastor in the Primitive Methodist Church for 51 years and was currently serving as pastor the Primitive Methodist Church in Big Beaver for the last four years.   Before being called here, he had been the pastor of the Primitive Methodist Church in Buena Vista, PA, Luzerne County.

       In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Watkins and Ruth Creveling.

       He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth Cain Watkins, a daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and William Kearns, two granddaughters, Rebecca Hasbrouck and her husband Christopher, Amy Kearns and her fiancé Adam Slafka, and a great-granddaughter Mikayla Hasbrouck, all of West Newton, PA.

          Friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, www.hillandkunselman.com.,  3801-4th Ave., College Hill, Beaver Falls. There will be an additional visitation on Thursday from 10 a.m until the time of the service at 10:30 a.m. in the Primitive Methodist Church, at the corner of Shenango and Wallace Run Roads, in Big Beaver,  with Mr. Ray Majors and the Rev. William Underwood officiating.

       Interment to follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County.

       Military honors will be conducted at cemetery on Thursday.

         Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Primitive Methodist Church, 1154 Shenango Road, Beaver Falls, PA  15010.