Carl Lavern Watson, 76, WWII US Airforce Veteran

He was born March 19, 1928 in Risco, Missouri. He was raised in Elyria, Berlin Heights and South Amherst graduating from South Amherst High School in the class 1946. Carl also graduated from California College of Mortuary Science. He has lived in Palmdale, California for the last thirty two years.

Mr. Watson served in both the Army Air Corp and the US Air Force during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Carl was employed as a funeral director for thirty five years. He served twenty of those years with Chapel of Valley Mortuary and Hicks Mortuary in Palmdale, California. He was also an ordained minister with the International Ministerial Fellowship. He was a member of the Al Malika Scottish Rite of Pasadena, California; a 320 mason with Masonic Lodge #967 where he served as chaplain, marshal, secretary, junior deacon, and treasury; and was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club, all located in Palmdale, California.

Survivors include his son Carl David Watson of Birmingham; his daughters Robin Simoniello of Vermilion and Julie Baker of Lorain; eleven grandchildren; one great granddaughter; brothers Leon Watson of Florence Township and Howard Watson of Elyria; and his first wife Shirley Watson of Vermilion.

He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Kelly Watson in June, 2004; by his parents Francis M. and Lucy Darthula Watson (nee: Wright); by his brothers George Watson in 2002; Ulmont "Sam" Watson in 2003, Homer Watson, Chester Watson, Franklin Watson, Dale Watson, Morlin Watson as a child,; and by his sisters and Sara Mitchem and Izeffa Watson as a child.

Friends may call Saturday from 7 - 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 - 10 a.m. at the Church on the North Coast; 4125 Leavitt Rd., Lorain. Funeral services with the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard will be held Monday at 10 a.m. from the church. The Rev. Louis F. Kayatin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman, Ohio.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to American Heart Association; P0 Box 182039 Dept. 013, Columbus, OH 43218-2039.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, OH 44001.

Question, please call Hempel Funeral Home at (440) 988-4451.