Pastor Gilbert Eugene Hawkins of Warsaw, Ind., died at 11:46 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Ind., at the age of 86.
He was a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., for the past 13 years where he was a member of Lakeland Grace Brethren Church of Warsaw. Gilbert attended Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Ore., and then Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., graduating in 1955. He pastored for 70 years in Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. He authored a book titled “Marriage Lasts a Lifetime,” and his life’s work was to further the Kingdom for Christ. He never missed an opportunity to share the story of God’s love and forgiveness to anyone he met. He finally gets to hear…”Well done good and faithful servant.”
He was born on August 24, 1927, in Stet, Mo., to Arthur M. Hawkins and Sabrie (Eden) Hawkins. On August 29, 1953 he was married to Rosella Mildred (Hughes) Hawkins, who survives in Warsaw, Ind.
Also surviving is his son: James “Jim” (wife Tami) Hawkins (Oklahoma City, Okla.); two daughters: Sandy (husband Steve) Barrett (Warsaw, Ind.); Gail (husband Dave) Rosner (Ft. Wayne, Ind.); nine grandchildren: Shanda (husband Tom) Reed (Pennsylvania); Sabrie Hawkins and Sierra Rose Hawkins (Oklahoma City, Okla.); Jason (wife Darcy) Barrett (Falls Church, Va.); Amber (husband Brian) Hodorek (Winona Lake, Ind.); Heather (husband Rob) Chalfant (Warsaw, Ind.); Ben, Josiah, and Isaac Rosner (Ft. Wayne, Ind.); six great-grandchildren: Ashley, Alyssa, and Julia Reed; Bode and Will Barrett; Barrett and Bianca Hodorek; and his brother, Leroy Hawkins (Oregon). He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2014, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.
His funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, Ind., and officiated by Pastor Russ Simpson and Pastor John Sholly. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, P.O. Box 612, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590 and would be appreciated by his family.