Martin V. Watkins, 80, died June 24, 2009, at the Indian Meadows Nursing Home in Overland Park after a three-year battle with a traumatic head/brain injury.

He was born July 3, 1928, at Agency, Mo., the son of Price and Bessie Fletcher Watkins.

He graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph, Mo. and later attended Platte Business College in St. Joseph.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He worked for the Rock Island Railroad and later the Southern Pacific Railroad, and his job moved he and his family to Hutchinson from St. Joseph, Mo. in Jan. 1979.

After his 40-year career with the railroad, he retired and then worked for Dillons, both at the 30th Street store and later at the 5th and Adams store for a total of 14 years. He and Jean enjoyed traveling and camping after their retirement.

On June 7, 1971, he married M. Jean Hull in Miami, Okla. She survives. Other survivors include: two sons, Steven Hull, Richmond, Va., and Kelly Hull, and his wife Cheryl, Fairfax, Va.; five daughters, Tina Watkins, Wendy Turley, and husband James, all of Hutchinson, Donna Budd, and husband Jim, Kansas City, Mo., Peggy Tobey, St. Joseph, Mo., Carol Gaddie, and husband Tom, Winder, Ga.; a sister Coreine Pullaro, and husband Andy, Schaumberg, Ill., 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Eugene Watkins.

Mr. Watkins was cremated.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Elliott Mortuary, with Pastor Robert L. Albin presiding. Friends may sign a register book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Kansas, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal condolence for the family.