Ernest Carlyle Hawkins Jr.

Ernest Carlyle Hawkins Jr. of Warren passed away on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 7:42 p.m. in Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital with his family by his side. He was 74.

Ernest was born on September 9, 1943 in Youngstown, the son of the late Ernest C. Sr. and Elizabeth R. Michaels Hawkins.

He was a 1962 graduate of Niles McKinley High School. Following high school, Ernest proudly served our country during Vietnam in the United States Army. He entered the service in 1965. During his time in the Army he earned the Aircraft Crewman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster and was designated a sharpshooter. Ernest was honorably discharged in 1966.

Mr. Hawkins was employed for many years at U.S. Steel in McDonald as a electrician / maintenance. Ernest retired from R.G. Steel the former WCI Steel.

Ernest was of Catholic faith and a life member of numerous VFW and AMVETS in the area. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, especially to lighthouses along the great lakes and east coast. Mr. Hawkins enjoyed fishing, working on cars and tinkering with small house hold equipment and appliances, listening to country music especially blue grass music. Ernest found relaxation in assembling and painting model cars and collecting model trains. Most importantly he loved taking care of others.

His wife Sally R. Tompkins Hawkins, whom he married April 29, 1995, passed away on April 10, 2012.

He is survived by: 4 daughters, Beth (Tom) Fair of Niles, Kathy (Thomas) Torreance of Niles, Michele (Allen) Coudriet of Niles and Stacy Melius of Warren; 3 sisters, Judy (Rodney) Hawkins of Liberty, Marilyn Schultz of Farmdale, OH, and Marsha (Brian) Batson of Niles; 11 grandchildren, Jeremy & Camerin Harkins, Ryssa Coudriet, Samantha, Jenna, and Kennedy Melius, Stephen & Kyle Ebert, Tommy, Johnny, and Nathan Fair; 3 great grandchildren, Alex & Wyatt Ebert, and Layla Fair.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Friends and family may view the obituary and send condolences by visiting www.NicholasFuneralHome.com

Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org

Calling hours will be on Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Wm Nicholas Funeral Home & Cremation Services 614 Warren Ave. Niles, OH 44446.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 26, 2018 in the funeral home.