Joel David Hawkins

Weslaco-Joel David Hawkins, "Dave", 92, passed away on Saturday, May 6th, 2017, with his wife, Virginia, by his side. Joel was born on April 3, 1925, to David and Eva (Richa) Hawkins, in Kankakee, Illinois. He had one sister, Rita. He grew up in Kankakee where he graduated high school. Immediately after school, Dave was drafted to the US Army where he would serve in World War II. After the war, Dave took up carpentry. He moved to Florida during the housing boom after the war where he worked in construction. He convinced the love of his life, Virginia, to come to Florida to marry him. She was only eighteen at the time, but it turned out to be a great decision, they enjoyed seventy years of marriage. They started their family right away and were blessed with four boys, David, Steven, Gregory, and Douglas. They moved back to Kankakee, Illinois to be closer to both families. Dave continued his career as a carpenter. They later moved to Bloomington, Illinois, where Dave owned a pet store for a few years along with his work in construction. They moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1971 where Dave developed a reputation for quality carpentry work. When the kids were grown and Dave and Virginia were retired and tired of the cold, they made their way south. They moved to Weslaco in 1995 and lived at Pine to Palm for seventeen years. They later moved to John Knox Village, where Dave spent the remaining years of his life. Dave is preceded in death by his parents, David and Eva (Richa) Hawkins, his sister, Rita Jannush, and his sons, David Charles Hawkins and Steven Lee Hawkins. He is survived by his loving wife of seventy years, Virginia Hawkins, his sons, Greg Hawkins (Marsha), of Wisconsin, Douglas Hawkins (Renee Roemmele) of London, grandchildren, Jeremy Hawkins (Isu), Sarah Anthony (Rob), Erica Hawkins and Natalie Hawkins, great grandchild, Arthur Carl Hawkins, 2 nephews and 6 nieces. As per Dave's wishes, he will be cremated. Burial of cremated remains will take place at a future time.