Obituary of Forrest J. Watson

Forrest J. "Jack" Watson, Jr., 87, of Elizabethtown, PA, formerly of Lancaster, passed into eternity on Friday morning, September 30, 2016 at Masonic Health Care Center following a brief illness. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Forrest J., Sr. and Catherine Goodhart Watson. He was the husband of Dolores Sidler Watson for 67 years on August 7. Jack was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabethtown. Following his graduation from McCaskey High School in 1946, he entered the United States Navy as a reservist. His career as a machinist spanned more than 43 years with Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster. He was a member of the Lamberton Lodge No. 476, F&AM, in Lancaster, the Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Shrine, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Forest No. 27, in Lancaster. He was also a senior DeMolay and Past Master Counselor of the Lancaster Chapter. In addition to researching family genealogy, Jack was a student of American history with a special interest in the Civil War. He enjoyed fishing, caning chairs, basket weaving, and woodworking at the Roosters Corner at Masonic Village where he had been secretary. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Kathy W., wife of William J. Prazenica, of Elizabethtown, and Mark S., husband of Sharon L. Kashner Watson, of Lancaster; four grandchildren, Stephen Prazenica, Natalie Herr, Matthew Watson, and Christopher Watson; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, June Cooke. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday morning, October 4, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 75 East High Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Private interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park, Lancaster. There will be no public viewing. The family will receive guests at the church on Tuesday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.