Obituaries

Ellis Leroy “Lee” Hawk, Jr., 84

Ellis Leroy (Lee) Hawk, Jr., 86,  and Sarah Jane Hawk, 84, died together Friday afternoon on November 2nd in an automobile accident that occurred near their residence at the Willow Valley
Retirement Community south of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They had been married 62 years.

Lee was born in Seymour, Indiana on March 24, 1926. He was the son of the late Edna (Linke) and Ellis L. Hawk, Sr. During his childhood, his father’s job transferred their family through several mid-west towns.  In 1944, he graduated from high school and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps.  He served stateside with the 3701st Army Air Force in Amarillo, Texas and was trained as an aircraft mechanic for B-17’s and B-29’s.

Sarah was born December 21, 1927 in Akron, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Gladys (Hendrix) and Reed Parent, and spent most of her childhood in Columbus, Ohio.

They met at Ohio State University where Lee studied Chemical Engineering and Sarah studied Commercial Art. Lee was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Fraternity and the Theta Chi Fraternity. They married after graduation on June 10, 1950 in Columbus, Ohio.

Most of their working years were spent in Wilmington, Delaware, where they were members of Grace Methodist Church. Lee was a Chemical Engineer with Hercules Inc, and engineering director at Himont.  He traveled at a time when few businessmen traveled overseas and was able to cultivate relationships with counterparts from a variety of different cultures. He helped establish polypropylene plants in Germany, Bulgaria, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Brazil and Italy.  When Lee traveled the world for his career, Sarah would sometimes travel with him.  Sarah got to see the art in color and in person that she studied in college.

Sarah worked many years as a tour guide at the Hagley Museum in Wilmington. She was a volunteer at the Palmer School, an inner city school in Wilmington, and was also involved with the Grace Church pre-kindergarten serving on the board and as treasurer.

After retiring, they moved to the Willow Valley Retirement Center in Lancaster where they made many new friends among that incredible community. Lee enjoyed participating in the Readers Theater, while Sarah resumed her interest in watercolor painting and knitting. Together they enjoyed traveling, bird watching, and participating in Elderhostel programs around the world. They also enjoyed researching their genealogies, reading history and discussing current events. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church.

Sarah and Lee are survived by Sarah’s brother Stanley Parent and his wife Bonnie of Willow Valley Lee’s sister Elinor Spellerberg, wife of the late Honorable Thomas Spellerberg, Esq of Tiffin, Ohio;; their sons David Hawk of Landenberg, PA, and his wife Patricia Beitel; Chilton Hawk of Salt Lake City UT, and his wife Robin; and Alan Hawk of Monrovia, MD, and his wife
Cindy. They especially cherished their three grandchildren: Robert Hawk, Laura Hawk and Matthew Hawk.

Memorial Services will be held for Lee and Sarah at 11 AM on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church, 140 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 with Rev. Don Hackett officiating. Family and friends will be received from 10-11 AM at the church. Interment is private. Parking is available at the corner of Duke Street & Chestnut Street and also on East King Street at the Parking Garages.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Lee and Sarah’s names to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529 or to Amnesty International USA, 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661

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On behalf of Philanthropic Lodge No. 168, AF&AM, New Market, MD, the brothers send their deepest sympathy to the Hawk family. Brother Alan, you and your family are in our prayers. We grieve the loss of your parents and know in our hearts that they are with their creator.

So mote it be.

We just learned of the Hawk’s passing last night. I grew up attending Grace Methodist Church and was good friends with their son David.  Mr. and Mrs. Hawk were always the nicest couple. Always smiling and happy.  Mr. Hawk had a great laugh and Mrs. Hawk was so loving.  My wife, Sheila, recalls Mrs. Hawk very well with her very welcoming presence when we were first married.  Our condolences to the family in this time of loss of two most wonderful people.

Sincerely,
Rob and Sheila Johnson

Dear Hawk Family,
 We pray that you will be blessed with God’s peace and strength during this most difficult time. 
  I have precious memories of Lee and Sarah from their time at Grace Church in Wilmington.  I remember Lee leading our outreach efforts in such a gentle encouraging way.  Speaking to the congregation one Sunday, he reminded us that none of us could do everything, but each of us could do something.  I’ve always remembered that statement when I feel personally busy and overwhelmed and yet am being asked to help out in some way.
  I serve on the Preschool Board of Directors and know Sarah from her contributions to that organization as well as a fellow church member.  Although our tenure on the board didn’t overlap, I was aware of her influence.  Sarah contributed so much in such a quiet, unassuming but forthright way.
  Both Lee and Sarah were valued members of the Grace Church community and have been missed since they moved from the Wilmington area to Lancaster.  My husband, Dean and I were so very saddened to hear of their tragic passing.
Sincerely, Carol Buckwalter  cbuckwalter21@yahoo.com

David, the obituary indicates you still live in Landenberg as do we.  Are you still living on Landenberg Rd?

David, Saddened to hear the news of the passing of your parents. They must have been very loving parents and were always so active in the communities in which they were involved. They will surely be missed by many people as well as your family. May the memories you have and the knowledge that they passed into heaven together and are now at the perfect peace only God can provide bring you comfort. In His Love,

Linda Stapleford

David and Family,

Our deepest sympathy at the loss of your parents. We will keep you all in our prayers and thoughts.

Judy and Scott Shuler
Oxford, MD

The attorneys and staff of Pyfer Partners wish to offer our condolences to the Hawk Family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 

Pyfer, Straub, Gray & Farhat, P.C.

I’m so sad to hear of your tragic loss.  Your are in my thoughts and prayers.  The members of my church family at First Congregational Church of Eastlake, CO also send their condolences and have you included in our prayer chain.  Sending you hugs across the miles…

Love,
Carol

Our deepest sympathies are with the Hawk family at this very sad time.
Tom & Cherryl Tomaszewski

Bonnie and Stan, I was saddened to hear of your sudden and tragic loss.  My thoughts, love and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
May these words provide some comfort to you, family and friends:  They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it.  Death cannot kill what never dies.
Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time,
Toni L. Tice

I was saddened to read of Lee and Sarah’s accident and death.  I haven’t seen Lee for several years, but always enjoyed my association with him at Himont before our retirements.  Lee was a wonderful example of reliability, competence and dedication; and was always a pleasure to work with.  He also had a great sense of humor.  He was a friend.  At times like this, it is good to know that Lee and Sarah will continue to live in the next life and enjoy the fruits of their good works on earth. 

Chuck Eckery

On behalf of Grace Church Preschool we send our deepest sympathy on the loss of your parents.  Lee and Sarah were valued members of Grace Church for many years.  They are remembered fondly.  Sarah was a true gem to the preschool and she gave unselfishly of her time as she served as treasurer to the preschool board of directors.  I enjoyed talking with her and sharing preschool stories when she joined us 10 years ago for the preschools 40th anniversary celebration.  Blessings to the Hawk Family.
Kathy Flenner Malone
Director
Grace Church Preschool
Wilmington,DE

Sincere love and condolences to all of you from Margaret Mendenhall Lash and her children David Lash and Marguerite Lash Klausmeier and their families.  Lee and Sarah were so good to Mother, and Dave had corresponded with them re: family history.  Please know all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

On Behalf of the Lash Family,
Marguerite Lash Klausmeier

The Barrett Family in Indiana wish to express our condolences to Alan, David and Chilton and their families, as well as to Stanley and Bonnie, on the loss of their parents/sibling. We too lost a parent in an automobile accident and so have a sense of the pain you must be feeling now. Our hearts go out to you in your time of grief. May God bless you and grant you peace.

Edward S Barrett
Margaret A (Barrett) Ball and husband James Ball
William R Barrett and wife Sharon
Grandchildren of Estella Hendrix Mendenhall

Alan & family,

I was so saddened to hear of your parents’ passing and regret that I was unable to attend the memorial service. As so often happens with these events, hearing the news led me to reflect back on my childhood and the wonderful memories I have of both your parents. They always seemed to be smiling and ready with a kind word or encouragement. I can only imagine the pain of losing them both, but hope that you too will reflect on those happy memories.

Steve Johnson
Jacksonville, FL

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