Dortha Margaret Watnes

She died Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Winamac.

Born November 10, 1915 in Pulaski County, she was the second child and daughter of the late Albert and Hazel Zellers Powers. On February 8, 1941, she married John Richard Watnes in Indianapolis and he preceded in death in 1989.

Watnes was a 1933 graduate of Pulaski High School and a 1939 graduate of the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette. She devoted her life to nursing and upon retirement, wintered in Lakeland, Florida. She spent her time making crafts that she enjoyed giving out to family and friends.

The accomplishment she was most proud of was having been a faithful and dedicated fan of the Indianapolis Five Hundred Speedway races. She never missed a race except for those that didn't run during World War II, until she was well into her eighties and unable to attend because of health.

She was a member of Christ of Kings Church in Indianapolis and more recently of St.Peter Catholic Church in Winamac.

Survivors include a son, John Richard Watnes, Jr. of Indianapolis and 3 grandchildren; a sister, Lois Ann Meyer of Rensselaer; three brothers, Richard (Doris) Powers of Fort Madison, Iowa, Ronald (Judith) and Robert (Beverly)Powers, all of Winamac.

Also preceding in death were four infant children, Mary, Ann, Edward and Joe; two sisters, Thelma E. Powers, Lucile Powers Allen-Gast and four brothers, James William, Thomas Robert, Carol Vernon, and Harry Eugene.

Arrangements were entrusted to Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 19 2017, 15:44:07 UTC