Obituary of Lonnie Joseph Watts

Funeral Services for Lonnie Joseph Watts of Elsberry, MO will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2020 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Bro. Jess Wilson, pastor of the Cyrene Baptist Church, will officiate with burial in the Oak Ridge Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Gnade, Ryan Niehoff, Chris Brinkman, Kevin Watts, Dana Watts and Paul LaBanca; and honorary pallbearers will be Tom Bryant. Mr. Watts, 62, passed away Tuesday morning, October 27, 2020 at his home in southern Pike County near Elsberry. Born December 5, 1957 in Louisiana, MO, he was the son of Kenneth Woodrow and Adaline Louise Culwell Watts. Raised in the Elsberry community, Lonnie was a 1976 graduate of Elsberry High School. Over the years, he worked at the Elsberry IGA, Russ Nixon Auto Parts store in Elsberry, and was the “Parts Man” at John Deer in Troy. Although he farmed most of his life, he also worked as a mechanic and was a member of Operators Local #513. Lonnie enjoyed woodworking; and loved putting in a big garden so he could share the harvest with his friends. Lonnie was preceded in death by his twin brother, Donnie Gene Watts, who died at birth. Survivors include his companion, Linda Langston of Elsberry; five children: Jamie Marie Watts of Arlington, VA, Dr. Erin Nicole Niehoff and her husband, Ryan, of Troy, MO, Joseph Aleck Watts and his wife, Colleen, of Wentzville, MO, Katelyn Rhea Lee Watts and Loni Michelle Watts, both of Louisiana, MO; and six grandchildren: Mason, Michael and Miller Niehoff, and Kylie, Cooper and Lucy Watts. Lonnie also leaves his parents, Kenny and Louise Watts of Elsberry; three sisters, Mona Harshman of Eolia, MO, Lois Bryant and her husband, Tom, of St. Charles, MO, and Sally Gnade and her husband, Mark, of Elsberry; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to Oak Ridge Cemetery in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.