Pastor Gilbert Eugene Hawkins, 86, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 11:46 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Ind. 

He was born on Aug. 24, 1927, in Stet, Mo., to Arthur M. Hawkins and Sabrie (Eden) Hawkins. On Aug. 29, 1953, he was married to Rosella Mildred (Hughes) Hawkins, who survives in Warsaw.

He was a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., for the past 13 years where he was a member of Lakeland Grace Brethren Church of Warsaw. Gilbert attended Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Ore., and then Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., graduating in 1955. He pastored for 60 years in Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. He authored a book titled “Marriage Lasts a Lifetime”, and his life’s work was to further the kingdom for Christ. He never missed an opportunity to share the story of God’s love and forgiveness to anyone he met. 

He is survived by his son: James ‘Jim’ (Tami) Hawkins, Oklahoma City, Okla.; two daughters: Sandy (Steve) Barrett, Warsaw; Gail (Dave) Rosner, Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren: Shanda (Tom) Reed, Pennsylvania; Sabrie Hawkins and Sierra Rose Hawkins, Oklahoma City; Jason (Darcy) Barrett, Falls Church, Va.; Amber (Brian) Hodorek, Winona Lake; Heather (Rob) Chalfant, Warsaw; Ben, Josiah and Isaac Rosner, Fort Wayne; six great-grandchildren: Ashley, Alyssa, and Julia Reed; Bode and Will Barrett; Barrett and Bianca Hodorek; and his brother: Leroy (Susan) Hawkins, Oregon. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings.           

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the funeral home and will be officiated by Pastor Russ Simpson and Pastor John Sholly. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, P.O. Box 612, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and would be appreciated by his family.