Death Separates Couple After Over 60 Years

Mrs. John M. Hawk Passes Away at Her North Buffalo Township Home Following Illness.

Mrs. J. M. Hawk, one of the best known and most highly esteemed women of the community, entered into rest at her home in North Buffalo township Sunday morning at seven o'clock. Pneumonia, which developed only on Friday last was the immediate cause of death, but Mrs. Hawk had been in declining health for more than a month past. Nevertheless the announcement of her passing came unexpectedly to many friends and was received with expressions of deep regret in every quarter. Mrs. Hawk was a daughter of the late Benjamin Bowser and was born in 1850. She was united in marriage to John M. Hawk on November 8, 1868, and eighteen children were born of the union, thirteen of whom survive as follows: B. S. Hawk, Kittanning; Dr. M.E Hawk, Chicago; Mrs. J.W. Gumbert, Verona; Mrs. J. H. McDonald, Applewold; William M. E. Hawk, Chicago; Mrs. H.A. Waugaman, Brackenridge; Mrs. H. C. Ruff, Lima, Ohio; Herbert J. Hawk, Leon, Okla; Mrs. Charles H. Simpson, Verona; Mrs. J. E. Albright, Chicago; Dr. M. E. Hawk, Kittanning; Mrs. H. C. Richards, Delaware, O.; and Hyatt L. Hawk, Manorville. Five children preceded Mrs. Hawk in death. Forty-two grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren also survive. Deceased was a devout Christian woman who endeared herself to all who came to know her. Her interest was centered largely on her home and family and she gave them her undivided care and attention. Husband and wife traveled life's highway together, scarcely ever separated for even a day, for more than three score years. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist church, of which Mrs. Hawk was a consecrated member. Wednesday morning at eleven o'clock Rev. W. Norman Liddy, the pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in the Montgomeryville Baptist cemetery. When a little girl Mrs. Hawk was immersed and received into fellowship with the Baptist church in Montgomeryville. Later, with her husband, she became greatly interested in the organization of the new Baptist church in Kittanning and together they threw themselves, heart and soul into the new work. With their family they united with the church as charter members, and for the thirty-two years since that time have been a great help and inspiration to the work. The kindly influence of her Christian life in the home will ever be as a fragrant memory in the hearts of her children. The family Altar and the prayers at Mother's knee will always exercise a beneficient [sic] influence in their lives. As the writer of the Proverbs has said: "Her children rise up and call her blessed."Mrs. Hawk, during her association with the church was an active worker in the Ladies' Aid Society and was a member of the Rowland Bible Class.

From: The Simpson's Leader-Times, Kittanning, Pennsylvania, on Monday, February 18, 1929, Page 1

NOTE: Her mother was Elizabeth Yerty, sister of her step-mother Catherine Yerty

Married: John Martin Hawk, November 8, 1868, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania