John “Jack” C. Watts

MADISON, Wis. — John “Jack” C. Watts, age 91, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by family.

He was born on February 14, 1921, in Elgin, Ill., the son of Ernest and Catherine (McCarthy) Watts. He married Elizabeth Hausman on October 19, 1946, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Madison. Jack served in the Army from 1942-1945. He worked at Oscar Mayer as an accountant for 41 years. He was a member of the Elks, Rotary, was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. Jack liked to golf, bowl, was an avid Badgers fan, and enjoyed spending time at his cottage.

He is survived by three sons, Tom Watts, of Madison, Bob (Kate) Watts, of Madison, and Richard (Valerie) Watts, of Madison; eight grandchildren, Kristin (Xee) Lee, Molly (Jeff) Smith, Maggy Watts, Melissa (Tracy) Farwell, Brian Watts, Tracy (Dave) Velte, Jessica Eldridge, and Jon Watts; ten great-grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Watts, of Madison, and Richard (Alice) Watts, of Middleton; two sisters, Mary Nelson, of Middleton, and Barbara Ploetz, of Middleton. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Betty; his parents, Ernest and Catherine; a brother, James; a sister, Dorothy Larson; and a daughter-in-law, Helen Watts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 1, 2013, at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., with Fr. Jay Poster presiding. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., and also from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 259686, 2033 Fish Hatchery Rd., Madison, WI, 53725.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: http://ryanfuneralservice.com/fh/obituaries/tribute.cfm?o_id=1936009&fh_id=10436