Merle Gene Hawks was born on May 19, 1926, in rural Logan, Phillips
County, Kansas, the son of John Rollo and Ethel Rhoades Hawks. His
mother died when he was three and he was later raised by his stepmother,
Mabel Drommer Hawks, who loved him as her own son, and his father,
John. He departed this life on March 25, 2022, at the age of 95 years 9
months 24 days at the Andbe Home, Norton, Norton County, Kansas.
He attended country schools until graduating eighth grade and then
Almena High School graduating with the class of 1944. He immediately
joined the United States Navy upon graduation, serving in the Pacific
Theatre during World War II. His ship, the U.S.S. Rankin, was deployed
on the way for the invasion of Japan when the Atomic Bombs dropped on
Japan and forced the Japanese to surrender saving hundreds of thousands
of lives. He was trained to drive a landing craft. After serving in
Occupied Japan for the rest of his service, he returned to Almena to
begin farming.
He married the love of his life, Ivalee Mae Roeder, on her birthday,
May 16, 1947, in Woodruff, Phillips County, Kansas. The plans for
their wedding had to be abruptly changed due to the inclement weather
and therefore took place in the pastor’s home. They made their home on a
farm west of Almena. To their union, four sons were born, whom they
cherished with their whole hearts: Jerry Lynn, David Gene, John William
and Michael Lee. In 1958, they bought a farm north of Almena and lived
there for 24 years. Sadly, two sons predeceased them in death as
teenagers, David Gene in a tractor accident and John William of spinal
meningitis. They moved to into Almena in 1982.
In addition to farming and raising livestock, Merle was employed in
construction, working for Purtzer & Dutton to supplement the family
income. He then was hired as a substitute Rural Mail Carrier, which
eventually became his full-time job until he retired. He also owned and
operated the Hawks’ Depot as a 50-year distributor of Archer Oil, among
other products. He also was employed by the ASCS.
He enjoyed trying new things, raising chinchillas for a time, as
well as beefalo when it first hit the market. He owned one of the first
home video cameras, making films of his boys as well as family events.
He liked to play cards, belonging with Ivalee, to pitch, pinochle and
bridge clubs; then later playing whatever card game was popular. He
played the family marble game (Aggravation) as long as he could. He
spent precious time fishing with his sons and others. His favorite
hobby, by far, however, was bowling, at which he excelled. He bowled in
three leagues well into his 80s, also serving as bowling secretary,
until the Rainbow Bowling Alley in Norton closed. He delighted in
attending the activities of his children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren even in his 90s. He was a faithful Northern Valley
supporter.
Merle attended the Almena Congregational Church, having returned
there after the closing of the Almena United Methodist Church. He
served on the Almena Schools School Board during the consolidation
period; he belonged to many civic organizations and wrote for the
Prairie Dog Press. He was a longtime member of the American Legion. He
volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels when it was available in Almena.
He sold tickets at Northern Valley football games as long as he could.
Survivors include: two sons and their wives, Jerry and Kay Hawks,
Norton, and Michael and Deanna Hawks, Almena; five grandchildren: John
(Gretchen) Hawks, Verona, WI, Jeremy (Renee) Hawks, Norton, Kansas,
Hannah (Brian) Sproul, Melissa Hawks, Hays, and Morgan Hawks, Almena;
nine great-grandchildren: Sophie, Lucy, Sadie and Goodwin Hawks,
Verona, WI; Christien and Dylan Hawks, Norton, KS, Cambrie, Ivey and
Kole Sproul, Almena, KS; two sisters, Georgie Rorabaugh, Norton, and
Dixie Hejny and her husband George, Great Bend; sisters-in-law: Neva
(Roeder) Lee, Belleville, KS, Jo Roeder, Canby, OR; Joy Roeder,
Garibaldi, OR, and brother-in-law Robert Lyle Bailey, Pueblo, Colorado.
Many other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ivalee, two sons
David and John; one sister, Loene Bailey, and infant brother, Keith; one
great granddaughter, Zoee Sproul; his brothers-in-law Ralph Rorabaugh,
Melvin Roeder, Calvin Roeder, Norman Roeder, Raymond Roeder, and Ted
Lee; his sisters-in-law Beulah (Shelton) Roeder and Sally (Hale) Roeder.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at
the Almena Congregational Church. Burial with military honors will
follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Almena. Visitation will be from 5-7:00
pm Monday, March 28 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the City of Almena to help with the Veterans Memorial Park and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com