Charles E. Hawkins

Charles Eugene Hawkins, 86 of Cochranton (Hannaville Area) died at 12:02 A.M. Wednesday November 14, 2012 at Sugar Creek Station.



He was born May 13, 1926 in Rocky Grove and was the son of the late Foster and Mary Snyder Hawkins.



He attended Rocky Grove Schools.



In March of 1944 he enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he became a Seabee and was part of the crew that built the road on Mt. Suribachi. He received the American Theater Ribbon, Pacific Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal. He was stationed in Saga, Japan as well as in the Pacific. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946.



He became a certified welder at Cascade Park in New Castle. He belonged to the Operating Engineers Local #66 and held an A book because he was skilled in the operation of all heavy equipment. He worked numerous jobs in the coal industry, building industry and road construction.



He was of Protestant Faith.



His hobbies included hunting, fishing, farming and raising cattle, gardening, raising and training horses and dogs, and singing and playing the guitar. He enjoyed riding and showing horses in his younger years, teaching his children to ride horses, helping his sons show their horses in the 4-H Fairs and showing his grandchildren and great grandchildren how well trained his horses were by making them lie down, go to sleep and get up with verbal commands.



On January 2, 1947 he married Ruth A. Baker and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year and she survives.



Also surviving is a daughter, Sherrie Jo Hawkins Harris and her husband A. Logan of Kennerdell; three sons, Charles E. Hawkins Jr. of Polk, Steven R. Hawkins and his wife Valerie of Polk, and Robert F. Hawkins and his wife Cheryl of Stoneboro; seven grandchildren, Steven R. Hawkins Jr. and his wife Karen of Polk, Brian L. Harris and his wife Jennifer of Bellview, Heather L. Mlecko and her husband Matthew of Ingomar, Amber R. Dale and her husband Clay of Townville, Chad E. Hawkins of Polk, Robert F. Hawkins Jr. and wife his wife Inde of Virginia Beach, VA and Stacey Marie Hawkins of Seneca; nine great grandchildren, Justin Hawkins, Brooke, Logan and Sarah Mlecko, Madeline, William and Olivia Harris and Maddox Hawkins and Keely Dale.



He is also survived by a brother Robert L. Hawkins and wife Christine of Sharon and a half-brother F. Leroy Hawkins of Lawndale, CA, a special niece Mary Lou Proper Desnoyers and numerous other nieces and nephews.



In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his step mother, Marybelle Hawkins; two sisters Joan Beers and Dorothy Proper, a half-brother Richard Hawkins and a half-sister, Marybelle Mondares.



Private visitation and services will be held for the family at Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin, with the Rev. Lea Guiney, Pastor of the Polk United Methodist Church, Officiating.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Charles?s name to a charity of one?s choice.