Jerry D. Hawkins

Jerry D. Hawkins, 85, of Manteno IL, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL. He was born January 27, 1934 in Chicago, IL, the son of Albert John and Evelyn T. (Ahlberg) Hawkins. He married Josephine Vallette (Murray) on March 15, 1956 in Chicago. Jerry was a mechanical design engineer at Continental Can Company for 40 years. He served our country in the US Army. Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Manteno and he also worked as a volunteer with Riverside Medical Center – Senior Advantage as a SHIP Counselor. He enjoyed playing golf, reading and working as a handyman. Surviving are his children Joanne “Jodi” Hawkins (Art Tuveson) of Exeter, RI; William (Clara) Hawkins of Clovis, NM; James (Dana) Hawkins of Manteno; and Janet (Robert) Huber of Hobart, IN; sister Miriam (Gerald) Pignatiello of Manteno; grandchildren Natasha, Carl and Danielle Hawkins; Bobby (fiancée Christina Bredwell), Ryan and Jack Huber; Devon (Maria), Jordan and Paige Burgard; great-grandchildren Zayven, Robert, Ava, Zander and Mia. Preceding him in death were his wife and parents. A service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church at 64 South Walnut Street, Manteno, IL, with the Rev. Chrystal Abbott officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 am until the service which begins at 11:00 am. There will be a luncheon at the church immediately following the service. Brown-Jensen Funeral home is handling the arrangements. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, on a future date. Memorials may be made to The Cradle Foundation or online at www.cradle.org. Please sign Jerry's online guestbook.