Fannie Amelia Louise (VanRaepenbusch) Hawkins was born on April 7, 1935, in Benton Harbor to Marguerite and Ferdinand VanRaepenbusch. She passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 7, 2022, at home.
Fannie was a long-time Hagar Township resident, attending Riverside Hagar #6 and going on to graduate from St. Joseph High School in 1953.
She was accepted to the Art Institute of Chicago but instead chose to marry the love of her life, Art Hawkins, on August 6, 1955. She traveled all over the United States with him during his military career. They share four children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After 20 years of service, she retired in 1999 from Peoples State Bank (Fifth Third) as a proof operator and teller. She was an officer in the Military Wives Club and was associated with the Twin Cities DAV Chapter 17, worked as an election inspector, and attended Women’s Society and Prayer Group at Riverside United Methodist Church.
Fannie loved her church family and enjoyed bringing refreshments and flowers on Sundays. She also enjoyed spending time with her dear friend Diane Gale, visiting shut-ins together and writing out cards. She was frequently complimented on her beautiful handwriting.
Fannie was a very familiar face at McDonald’s in Coloma and Burger King in Watervliet. She knew every employee and manager there by name.
Fannie enjoyed spending time with her close friends, Don and Sharon Carney, who were her “honorary” family members.
She especially loved attending her great-granddaughter Leah’s dance recitals.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Doris; her great-grandson, Donavan Tyler Hawkins; brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many other friends and relatives.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and no memorial service has been planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. An online guestbook is available at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Fannie leaves behind her husband, Art; children: Charles Hawkins, Randall Hawkins, Margie (Jeff) Lodge and Theresa (Joe) Becker; grandchildren: Charlie (Patricia) Hawkins, Zach (Shannon) Hawkins, Brandy (Corey) Wright, Josh (Ashley) Hawkins, Brandon Prince, Courtnee (Kevin) McGrew, Joey Becker III and Melissa Becker; great-grandchildren: Bethany, Kyle, Haylee, Micah, Mcayla, Bryce, Blake, Ashton, Gavin, Jensen, Baylan, Myla, Braeden, Branson and Leah; her sister, Esther; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins; her two cats: Lucky and Sophie; as well as many friends, relatives and her neighbors in Riverside - especially on Pier Road.