Hazel J. Hawkins

Hazel J. Hawkins, 87, of Dennison, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Beacon Pointe Rehabilitation Center in Uhrichsville, after a lengthy illness. Born November 15, 1926 in Bannock, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Ralph Gordon and Mabel Gladys (Irwin) Gordon-Melville.

Hazel was a longtime resident of Dennison and a member of Dennison First Church of God for most of her life. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, she was employed by Twin City Hospital’s dietary department in the 70s and 80s. In her spare time, she enjoyed doing crossword and word search puzzles.

On October 12, 1954, Hazel married William H. Hawkins, Sr. with whom she enjoyed over 38 years of marriage until his passing on February 10, 1993. The last of her family’s generation, she is also preceded in death by her brothers, Clyde and Harold Gordon, and sisters, Margaretta Bickerton and Virginia Drabic, as well as a son, Arthur W. “Billy” Hawkins, and daughter-in-law, Gloria Jean Hawkins. Hazel is survived by a son, Gary L. (Elaine) Hawkins of New Philadelphia; daughter, Susan K. (Jerry) Maurer of New Philadelphia; stepsons, William H. Hawkins, Jr. and Larry A. Hawkins; stepdaughters, Lois Anno and Janet Basiletti; grandchildren, Troy Hawkins, Amanda (Dennis) Leggett, and Kyle (Jessica), Matthew and Amy Maurer; great-grandchildren, Pyper Leggett and Abby and Bristol Hawkins; numerous nieces and nephews; and many extended family members including step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

Services for Hazel, officiated by Pastor Brian Flood, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m. in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will follow in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Those wishing to honor Hazel’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Dennison First Church of God and Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County.