Joel Stephen 'Steve' Hawkins
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Joel Stephen "Steve" Hawkins, 59, of San Diego, Calif., born June 26, 1949, in East St. Louis, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Scripps Mercy Hospital, Chula Vista, Calif.
He is survived by his son, Stephen M. (Tina) Hawkins, his grandson, Michael M. Hawkins, all of El Cajon, Calif.; his mother, Huella "Sue" Hawkins of Cahokia; sister, Cindy (John) Gorham of Dupo; his beloved companion, Eileen DeRome of Chula Vista, Calif.; he was a dear uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Genoveva; his father, Joe Hawkins Jr. of Cahokia; and grandparents, Gleda and Hugh Miller and Joe and Myrtle Hawkins, all of Carrier Mills.
Steve was born to Joe Hawkins Jr. and Huella "Sue" Hawkins, nee Miller. He grew up in Sauget and attended Cahokia Senior High School.
Mr. Hawkins was retired from the San Diego School District. Steve was a non-resident member of Maplewood Park Baptist Church, Cahokia, and lifetime member of the Larry Bennett American Legion Post No. 255, National City, Calif., and a member of the VFW. He was an officer in his Legion Post, and often involved in their many charitable and patriotic activities.
He joined the Navy in the fall of 1968, went through basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois, and was shipped to San Diego, Calif. He was stationed aboard the USS Carter Hall, and later, during the Vietnam War, served in the Pacific Fleet on an Admiral's Flagship, the USS Eldorado. After his four years in the Navy he joined the Navy Reserve, where he served another five years. He was a devoted patriot to his country.
Steve was a good, gentle, and compassionate man. He loved his family and was always fond of animals, especially his two cats.
He will be sadly missed by his son and family; loving companion, Eileen; his sister, Cindy and family; and by his mom, Sue Hawkins.
Memorials may be wade to the Larry Bennett American Legion Post, 35 East 18th Street, National City, Calif. 91950, or the Sue Hawkins Scholarship Fund at Maplewood Park Baptist Church, 429 Range Lane, Cahokia, Ill. 62206.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2008, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Braun Colonial Funeral Home, Cahokia, with the Rev. C. J. Langton officiating. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Salem Cemetery, Carrier Mills.
Condolences may be made at the Internet site www.braunfh.com.