Edward Frederick Watke

Rev. Dr. Edward F. Watke, Jr, beloved husband of Joyce Watke, and former pastor of Southgate Baptist Church, Augusta, went to be with his Lord and Savior on his 85th birthday.He was born Dec. 26, 1931 in Paxton, Nebraska, the son of Edward F. Watke, Sr, and Ruth (Coleman) Watke, but grew up on a farm near Columbus, Nebraska.He passed away, Dec. 26, 2016 in Augusta. Dr. Watke was the pastor of Southgate Baptist Church, Augusta, from 1972-1978.During this time he led the church to purchase property, build buildings, enlarge the auditorium and start Southgate Baptist Christian School as the ministry expanded in size and influence.Through his ministry a number of people were themselves called into ministry and today pastor churches throughout the United States. He graduated from Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska in 1956 and then served in pastoral ministry in churches in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Georgia, and Virginia.After graduate studies at Denver Seminary, he completed a masters and doctorate degree at Golden State School of Theology.He established Revival in the Home Ministries in 1978 and traveled widely preaching and teaching across North America and in many countries in South America and Europe.Known for his Bible teaching and counseling ministry, he published a large number of resources that are available free at watke.org. He is survived by his sister, Marian Dirks of Tahlequah, OK; his brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Ilene (Hamburger) Watke of Maple Plain, MN; his wife of sixty-four years, Joyce Elma (McMeekin) Watke; two daughters Cynthia Watke, and Connie Watke Moffitt, both of Durham, NC; one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Curt and Lou Ann Watke of North Augusta, SC; thirteen grandchildren:Bryan Stalcup of Concord, NC; Brooke Connor of Martinez, GA; Benjamin Stalcup of Gold Hill, NC; John Stalcup of Mountain View, CA; Christina Collier of Knightdale, NC; and Joel Stalcup of Raleigh, NC; Erich Moffitt of Seattle, WA; Bernhard Moffitt of Charlotte, NC; Anneliese Moffitt of Prague, Czech Republic; Tatjana Moffitt of Chicago, IL; Michael Watke of Philadelphia, PA; Matthew Watke and Mark Watke of North Augusta, SC; and twenty-five great, grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Westside Baptist Church in Martinez, Ga on Friday, December 30, 2016 from 7-9 pm, with Services at the church on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 3 pm with Rev. Dr. J. Lehn officiating . Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Augusta, Georgia.