Don Hawkins
February 25, 1937 ~ October 30, 2023
Resided in: Bonne Terre, MO
Donald E. Hawkins, Sr. 86, of Bonne Terre passed away October 30, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in St. Louis, MO on February 25, 1937 to the late Rollin Guy and Sarah (Huskey) Hawkins. Don had began his 70 year career in the grocery business as a teenager working for National Food Stores in St. Louis and later for General Grocers. He went on to own several grocery stores including MoHawk Food Store, Don Hawk Food Store and was partial owner of six Save A Lot Grocery Stores with his family. He also owned multiple apartment complexes in the St. Francois County area with his wife and children. Don was very active in the Bonne Terre Community having been a member of the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bonne Terre Rotary and was a founding member of the Mineral Area College Foundation Board. He actively supported many local programs in Bonne Terre and surrounding areas. He enjoyed hearing about the accomplishments of local youth, especially of those who had worked for him in the grocery stores. He loved traveling and boating, spending a lot of time with family and friends at Lake of the Ozarks, MO and Bonita Springs, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James and Robert Hawkins; sister, Patricia Bellamy and her husband Don; brother in-law, Charlie “Eddie” Mercille; and their 16-year fury companion, Baylea Girl.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Alice “Midge” (Mercille) Hawkins; three daughters, Diane Schnable and husband Fred, Debbie Copeland and Carl Autry, Donna Jean Weber and husband Wayne; four sons, Donnie Hawkins and wife Laurie, Dale Hawkins and wife Jan, David Hawkins and wife Tracy, Talbot Pratt and wife Nadia. He was the proud grandfather of sixteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; in-laws Julie Hawkins, Verna Mercille, Jeannie and Del Pratt, Debbie and Virgil Boyer; many special cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be no visitation, but a special mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bonne Terre, MO on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with Father John Schneider officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the American Heart Association, if so desired.
Services
Funeral Mass:
Friday, November 3, 2023
11:00 am
St. Jospeh Catholic Church
15 St. Jospeh St.
Bonne Terre, MO 63628
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Don Hawkins 's name.
American Heart Association
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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So sorry to hear of Don’s passing! Our love & prayers for you & your family!
Jim and Anne Hart
Don, thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for you and be part of the Don Hawk family. You were an awesome person and I am glad to call my friend. You were well liked and loved by many and will be deeply missed. This community might of lost a great man but God just gained one.
So sorry for your loss Midge! He was a good man and very kind to my son Danny, when the boys were younger. What always amazed me is He never forgot a name. I know he had been I’ll for quite sometime and at least he is at peace. You have many fond memories and experiences to help you through this. I will not be able to attend Fri. but message me if you need anything. God bless you and the family.
Love,
Sandy Archer
So sorry to hear this. Don was a great guy and always friendly. He will definitely be missed in our community.
It was a privilege to know him and have him in my life.
Angie Buckley Turner
Catana West
Fondly remember the time shared on the Chamber of Commerce. Always, had the community of Bonne Terre front and center.
Sincere condolences to the entire family.
Rose (Ottinger) Schwend
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was always so nice to Matt and I, as well as giving our son, Chase, his first job through BT savalot….Don was definitely a great leader in the BT community. Prayers for the whole family and friends during this difficult time.
I was so sorry to hear of Don’s death. I still remember where I was the first time I saw and met Don. It was at the IGA in Otto, in the early 60’s. I was in sales for 50 years, and met so many nice people during that time. Don Hawkins was my all time favorite customer. He was unique. He was so proud of his Family. They take after him.
So very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was such a light in this community as is all of his family. Our prayers go out to Midge and all of his family.
Don gave myself and some of my brothers our first jobs. He taught us the value of hard work, integrity, and caring and commitment to the guests and for each other. I moved away at 18 but when I would come back to visit, I was sometimes able to catch up with him. He always loved hearing about our successes to which I attributed to what I learned from him as a business owner. I try and run my businesses the same way he did. Proverbs 22:1 ~ A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Very sorry to learn of Don’s death. He was a long time friend to my parents and me. None finer than Don. He was civic minded, honest, dependable and did much for the city of Bonne Terre. Always there with a smile, handshake, kind words and respected by all who knew him. My sympathies to Diane and Donna Jean, who I know and to all the rest of his surviving family. We have lost a very good man!
So sorry to hear of Dons passing… I think of you often and have always been proud to have worked the Relay for Life for years with your Save A Lot team and you as well . Some of Bonne Terres finest. Hugs and prayers to you and yours
So sorry to hear of Dons passing. He was a good friend and neighbor. We were not able to attend on Friday but will keep the family in our prayers