Joan Hawkins, 82 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in the Chalet Village located in Berne, Indiana. She was born on Tuesday, December 17, 1929 in Decatur, Indiana the daughter of the late Lavern Bowman and the late Isabel (Peterson) Bowman. She married Forrest Hawkins on January 24, 1948 and he passed away on June 18, 1998. Joan was a member of the Decatur Church of God. She was a graduate of Decatur High School and was a homemaker. She served many years on the election board in numerous positions. Surviving are her son, Lon A. (Nancy) Hawkins of Decatur; son, John E. (Allison) Hawkins of Merrillville, Indiana; son-in-law, Ron Diehl of Decatur; sister, Susan (Bruce) Schnepp of Decatur; sister, Carol (Jack) Fair of Lake Hills, Texas; and sister, Kay Jauregui of Decatur. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Jamie (Amy) Bebout, Matthew (Leslie) Bebout, Eric (Nichole) Hawkins, Nathan Hawkins & Randy (Nicci) Hawkins and eight great-grandchildren; Taylor Bebout, Kaden Bebout, Grace Bebout, Kaitlyn Hawkins, Cody Hawkins, Hannah Hawkins, Brayden Hawkins & Addison Hawkins. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and loved spending time at Silver Lake in Michigan. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tessa Diehl on March 20, 2005 and a grandson, Michael Allen Hawkins on June 15, 1977. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 1, 2012 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with Pastor Sandy Hildebrand officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m., Friday, August 31 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to Southern Care Hospice of Fort Wayne or the donor's choice.
