Rosella Mildred Hawkins, 91, Warsaw, went home to be with her Lord surrounded by family at 2:29 p.m. Nov. 27, 2015, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born March 18, 1924, in Tiffin, Ohio, to John Albert and Mable Mary Hoy Hughes. On Aug. 29, 1953, she married Pastor Gilbert Eugene Hawkins, who died July 27, 2014. She graduated from Lasalle School of Business, Chicago, Ill., and worked for Moody Bible Institute until 1953. She was always at her husband’s side as he pastored for 60 years in Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. They started their first church in Berrien Springs, Mich., before moving to Jackson, Mich. There she worked as a bookkeeper for Tompkins & Johnson. She taught Sunday School until she was 89, and she was always involved in children’s ministry, but most of all she loved Jesus and her family. She was a resident of Kosciusko County for the past 14 years where she was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. She will be lovingly remembered by a son, James “Jim” (and spouse Tami) Hawkins, Oklahoma City, Okla.; two daughters, Sandy (and spouse Steve) Barrett, Warsaw, and Gail (and spouse Dave) Rosner, Fort Wayne; two brothers, Raymond (and spouse Betty) Hughes, Florida, and Robert Hughes, Ohio; a sister, Dorothy Thomas, Ohio; nine grandchildren: Shanda (and spouse Tom) Reed, Pennsylvania; Sabrie and Sierra Rose Hawkins, Oklahoma City; Jason (and spouse Darcy) Barrett, Falls Church, Va.; Amber (and spouse Brian) Hodorek, Winona Lake; Heather Chalfant, Warsaw; Ben, Josiah and Isaac Rosner, Fort Wayne; and nine great-grandchildren: Ashley, Alyssa, and Julia Reed; Bode and Will Barrett; Barrett, Bianca and Baxter Hodorek; and Jaylen Rosner. She also was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings. Services will be at noon Saturday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, with Pastor Bruce Barlow officiating. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Calling is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, P.O. Box 612, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and would be appreciated by her family. Condolences via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
