Joseph E. Wathen

Joseph E. Wathen, “Poppa Joe”, 85, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on July 3, 2024, in Leonardtown, MD, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 16, 1938, in Oraville, MD, he was the son of the late Addie Martha Burch Wathen and John Briscoe Wathen. Joseph was the loving husband of Patricia Wathen, whom he married on March 22, 1997, in Avenue, MD. He is survived by his children, Joseph Wathen of Mechanicsville, MD, David Wathen of Avenue, MD, JoAnn Wathen of Mechanicsville, MD, Nancy Wathen of Rock Hall, MD, Lisa Burch (Eddie) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Michael Wathen of Edgewater, MD, step-children, Gene Wathen (Tina) of California, MD, Terry Wathen of Mechanicsville, MD, Debra Lathroum-Bacon (Steve) of Tall Timbers, MD, and Kevin Lathroum (Beth) of Leonardtown, MD, seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Wathen, Ashley Barber, Patrick Quade, Kylie Duncan, Hunter Wathen, Kennedy Bacon, Lilly Lathroum, and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Wathen, Ayden Wathen, and Kayden Fenwick, and his siblings, Doris Harding of Newburg, MD and Joyce Wheeler (Tommy) of Hollywood, MD. He was preceded in death by his siblings, John Wathen, Leonard Wathen, Robert Wathen, Waynard Wathen, Delores Callanan, Elwood Wathen, Betsy Tippett, Roy Wathen, Tom Wathen, Cecelia Howe, and Madeline Morgan. Joseph was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, MD and attended Margaret Brent School. He was a Waterman and Farmer for 62 years, retiring in 2015. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Gene Wathen, Kevin Lathroum, Steve Knott, Robbie Copsey, Raymond Harding, and Ralph Wheeler. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.