Mark Douglas Hawkins, 67, of Leon, WV passed away October 15, 2020 at St Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. Mark was born June 1, 1953 in Columbus, Ohio to Mary Eleanor Donahue Hawkins and William Harold Hawkins. Mark is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Connie Sue Smith Hawkins, father William Hawkins, grandmothers Samantha Knapp Hawkins and Nancy Anna Kapp Donahue, grandfathers Jone Hawkins and Holly Donahue, father-in-law and mother-in-law Sumner and Gladys Kapp-Smith, brother-in-laws Roy Hall, Vernor Stephens, Harold Jordan, Don Smith, Delbert Smith, and Wayne Stone. Survived by mother Mary Hawkins, brother William (Rebecca) Hawkins, daughter Cheri Hawkins, and his precious granddaughter, Abby Brubaker, all of Grove City, OH. Also survived by in-laws Gearldine Hall, Mary Jordan, David (Marilyn) Smith, Doris Smith, Viola Stone, Gene (Roberta) Smith, and Steve (Joyce) Smith, all of Leon, WV. Numerous nieces and nephews. And his favorite kids, the furry ones, Sissy and Son, adopted as puppies in January 2018. Mark graduated from Marion-Franklin High School, Columbus OH, in 1971. He worked for JC Penney Distribution Center in Groveport, OH through the early 1980’s until he was laid off. He then began working for Sand Hill Wholesale of New Hampshire which relocated their distribution to Columbus, OH. He managed that new distribution center until he was told that the business was closing. Mark felt he could turn the business around, so in 1986, he and Connie purchased Sand Hill and all operations were relocated to Columbus. Mark and Connie worked tirelessly to make Sand Hill what it is today. In 1994, Mark and Connie moved into their dream home in Grove City, Ohio. Connie passed away in 2007 and Mark continued to work and grow Sand Hill. Mark and Sand Hill are proud member of HPBA, NCSG, and NFPA. Mark retired from the business in 2014, after having an aortic valve replacement, yearning to have a life of less stress and more enjoyment. Mark and Connie had purchased some land in Leon, WV in the early 90’s and converted an old smokehouse into a little cabin. After Mark retired, he decided Ohio’s city life was no longer what he wanted, he wanted the easy (ha ha), country life. So Mark moved part time to the cabin and designed and had structurally built by the Amish his perfect “cottage” in the woods, just a hundred feet from the smokehouse cabin. Mark loved his new, secluded home, so much so that he became a resident of West Virginia. He loved waking in the morning to see deer and wild turkeys in the yard. But Mark wanted to be able to fish, so in 2019, he purchased some Kanawha River front property less than 2 miles from the cottage and he and his trusty side kick, closest friend, and brother in law Gene transformed the junky, overgrown lot into a peaceful fishing area compete with deluxe camper. Mark truly enjoyed these last couple years of his life, surrounded by friends and family, piddling around doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. As his friend and brother-in-law Gene said, Mark is the engineer and I (Gene) make it happen. Anything Mark wanted, he made happen. He was always into something. He was finally living a life he desperately wanted for so many years. He was turning his dreams into reality. Mark loved cooking, watching tv, antiquing, hunting from the porch and fishing. He also loved high tech devices though rarely mastered them. He loved his Facebook community with all of his family, old and new friends, school friends, and chimney sweep friends from all around the world. And his fur kids, he loved them so much and appreciated the unconditional love and companionship that they gave him. Mark also had the special friendship of the Knapp Family, Danny, Renee, Olivia, and Bryce, all of whom watched out for him, kept him company, and got him out of some sticky situations. Thank goodness they were just a holler away. And special friends in Grove City, the Altomare’s, Michael, Debbie, Louie and Mikey, always there to help Mark emotionally and physically. Mark truly had angels for friends. Marks family is so appreciative for the outpouring of prayers and support from family and friends, Marks colleagues, Grove City Christian School’s Middle School and countless prayer lists and prayer wheels. Thousands of prayers have kept us with a feeling of peace and brought great comfort to Mark in his final moments. Mark’s family is so grateful for the care provided to him his last week of life. The unknown paramedics and life flight paramedics, Renee Knapp, and at St Mary’s Medical Center, Dr Maru, Susie and Karen and countless others in Cardio ICU for keeping Mark comfortable leading up to his surgery, and allowing him to entertain you, Dr Dempsey, and especially Dr Heuer who worked tirelessly to keep Mark alive, along with Micah and the other nurses in Open Heart recovery that kept hoping and praying and trying to give Mark a fighting chance. Micah and Karen, you were blessings to the family. You provided personal insight and kept our hope alive but also were there when we knew Marks hours were limited. And to Tyler and Chris in the Open Heart Recovery who kept Mark comfortable as he passed, thank you. And you will be blessed for the job you do. It takes an amazingly strong person to be a nurse and you all are amazing. And thank you to the chaplains who came and prayed over us bedside. And special thanks to Andreau Smith White, Marks very special niece, who was there providing comfort and companionship to the end, as she has always done. You are dearly loved and appreciated. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please do a good deed or do something to bring joy to yourself, a friend, or a loved one. And the family asks that you search out the Moron Brothers on Facebook and YouTube and watch an episode of two. And have a laugh with Mark as you do, he couldn’t get enough of those guys. Friends may visit Monday October 19, 2020 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at THE SPENCE-MILLER FUNERAL HOME 2607 Columbus Street Grove City, Ohio where funeral will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday with Pastor Beverly Davis officiating. ( mask must be worn at all times with correct social distancing). Interment Grove City Cemetery. Online expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.spencemillerfuneralhome.com

Spence Miller Funeral Home