Earl Gene Hawkins, 93, of Swansea, IL, born March 30, 1933, in Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Evervella of Swansea, Swansea, IL.
Earl was a veteran in the United States Army. He later worked in railroad transportation and sales at Norfolk Southern for 42 years and was a leading member and President of related professional associations. Earl was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.
Earl was 11 when his parents died, then living with the Joe and Leoma Kohn family at their farm in Winslow, IL. Earl returned to the family in Belleville (older brother Roy and wife Allene) to finish high school. Earl had interests including singing, playing fiddle and organ, dancing and horseback riding.
Earl and Mercedes Reeb wed April 4, 1964, and were married 61 years until her passing on July 26, 2025. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Roy H. and Iva C., nee Blake Hawkins; three brothers, Jesse, Homer, and Roy Hawkins; five sisters, Anne Hamman, Lyna King, Elsie Lingafelter, Edna Carr, and Twyla Mills; and a son-in-law, Carl Walker.
Surviving are a son, Stephen Hawkins; a daughter, Stacey Hawkins; and two grandchildren, Reilly Hawkins and Ashley Walker.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Annette Cumming, who has been an angel and gave our father exceptional care over the past years.
Memorials may be made to the St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired (StL Society for the B&VI). Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. David Ratliff officiating.
Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
