MARK IRWIN WATSON

Mark Irwin Watson, the son of E.M. (Doc) and Geneva Alberta (Miller) Watson, was born August 28, 1954 in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Mark passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 25, 2019.
Mark attended school in Diagonal and graduated with the class of 1972.
Mark worked as an ambulance driver for the Creston Hospital and in the receiving department at Kmart.
In February of 1986, Mark and Ken Hickman began their life together and moved to Scottsdale, AZ. While in Arizona, Mark worked for Kmart. Arizona would be their home until October 1999, when they returned to Des Moines, Iowa where Mark worked for Guide One Insurance.
Mark developed a love of cars at an early age. He actually wrecked one before turning 14! He would offer to clean a car just so he could drive it. Family was very important to Mark. He loved family gatherings and vacations. Mark was definitely the life of the party and was known to say, “It’s 5:00 o’clock somewhere.”
He is survived by Ken Hickman, his partner of 33 years; sisters Dixie (Jack) Taylor and Kay Pratt; brothers Jay (Donna) Watson and Steve (Carolyn) Watson; nephews and nieces, Darla (Gary) Sobotka, Karen (Shon) Berry, Patty (Chris) Eaton, Jim (Lisa) Taylor, Rick (Claire) Pratt, Stephanie (Brad) Butler, Amy (Scott) Haney, Jennifer (TJ) Casey, Sara (Wes) Little, Kayren (Mike) Davidson, Anna Cunningham, EJ Watson, and Miles Watson; aunt, Evelyn Miller and many other relatives and friends.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Bill Warin; brother-in-law, Larry Pratt and nephews, Randy Pratt and Rob Pratt.
A memorial fund has been established for the United Church of Diagonal. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.armstrongfh.com.
Services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the United Church of Diagonal in Diagonal, Iowa.
Officiating was Rev. Gwen Trullinger and Rev. Cynthia Ripperger.
Pianist was Judy Newton. Congregational hymn was “Hymn of Promise”. Special songs were
“One More Day” and “On Eagle’s Wings”.
Casketbearers were Darla Sobotka, Karen Berry, Patty Eaton, Jim Taylor, Rick Pratt, Stephanie Butler, Amy Haney, Jennifer Casey, Sara Little, Kayren Davidson, Anna Cunningham, EJ Watson, and Miles Watson.
Honorary casketbearers were Randy Pratt and Rob Pratt.