Obituary: Watson

Catharine R. (Kate) Watson, 54, of Bloomington, passed away Friday, July 6, 2018 in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Her funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, with Deacon Todd Weber officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at the memorial home. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Wapella.

Memorials may be made to her children’s educational fund in care of Tim Watson.

Kate was born August 24, 1963, a daughter of Clement and Helen Rhodes Toohill. She married Timothy H. Watson, June 20, 1992.

In addition to her husband Tim, she is survived by her children, T.J., Jake and Ginny; mother-in-law, Sharon Watson; siblings, Daniel (Rose Ann) Toohill. Clement (Marge) Toohill, Teresa (Richard) Carroll, Connie (Herb) Buttrick, Edward Toohill, Thomas Toohill, Matthew (Catherine) Toohill and Dennis (Marti) Toohill; several in-laws, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Ann, Jean, Mary Helen and brother, Hugh.

Kate graduated from Wapella High School and Illinois State University. She worked in the CRC Department at State Farm.

Kate was very proud of her Irish Heritage and was a member of the Democratic Party.

Kate’s attributes in life was being an advocate for her children; memory recall; being a special “Aunt Kate” and her deep faith in the Holy Spirit. No words can express how much she will be missed.

Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to www.calvertmemorial.com

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…