John W. Watkins

John Wesley Watkins, 71, of Otterville, MO, died Saturday, December 8, 2018, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia from complications of cancer.

John was born in Clinton, MO, on August 15, 1947, to Earl A. and Frances Osterholt Watkins.

The family moved to Sedalia, then Smithton, MO, where John attended public school, graduating from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia in 1965.

He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in psychology in 1969.

John served in the U.S. Army, spending 14 months in Vietnam.

He then attended the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in pharmacy in 1975.

He was united in marriage to Diane M. Meyer on July 8, 1972, in Foley, MN.

John began his career as a pharmacist in Sedalia at Sedalia Drug. He later went into partnership with John Banion to operate additional pharmacies in Sedalia.

In the early 1990’s, John became sole owner of the California, MO, pharmacy, which he operated for two decades, later selling to Pamida and managing that pharmacy for five years.

He then joined Bing’s East Pharmacy in Sedalia as a relief pharmacist until retirement in 2015.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, of the home; his son, Matthew R. Watkins and his wife, Kate, of St. Louis, MO; a sister, Carolyn Spradling and her husband, Chester, of Branson, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 13, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia.

The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of the funeral home.