Shirley Hawkinson
April 3, 1942 ~ August 2, 2016
View Shirley's Tribute Video
Shirley Hawkinson, 74, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2016 followed by a 7:00 p .m. prayer service, all at the church.
Shirley Jean Ripley was born April 3, 1942 in Sully County, South Dakota to Elmer and Betty (Kennedy) Ripley. The family lived west of Onida where she attended rural country school. They moved into Onida in 1953, where Shirley finished her elementary education and graduated from Onida High School in 1960.
In April of 1961, Shirley married James Hawkinson. They made their home on the Hawkinson family farm, where they raised their family until James passed away in 1980. Upon his death, she moved the family into Gettysburg. She began working at the Medicine Rock Café before purchasing the Sunset Café, operating it for a couple of years. Following the café, Shirley worked for Church Mouse Flowers, the Gettysburg Bakery, the Firehouse as a bartender, as a barmaid at several Gettysburg establishments, D & D Grocery Store, and J & B Convenience Store.
In her spare time, Shirley enjoyed painting ceramics, playing bingo, gardening, crocheting and reading. Above all, she treasured the time she could spend with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the Agar Legion Auxiliary and the Gettysburg VFW Auxiliary.
Those left to cherish her life are her children: Mike (Jennifer) Hawkinson of Conway, AR, Kenny Hawkinson, Michelle Hawkinson, Kellie Hawkinson (Stan Hunnel), and Mary Beth “Muff” (Jason) Johnson, all of Gettysburg; grandchildren: Kyle (Kristin) Hawkinson, Jada Hawkinson, Kole Hawkinson, Steven Hunnel, and Kennedi and Karson Johnson all of Gettysburg; great grandchildren: Kolson and Kaidra Hawkinson of Gettysburg; and siblings: John (Linda) Ripley of Canton, Dixie (Larry) Zebroski of Gettysburg, Cindi (Dan) Forgey of Gettysburg, Deb (Ross) Hyde of Harrold and Lisa (Guy) Trenhaile of Aberdeen; and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Shirley’s arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Shirley’s family and many friends.
We will miss you Aunt Shirley!! Your witty personality and spunky attitude will always be remembered.
So sorry to learn of Shirley’s passing. May God be with you in the difficult days to come.
We have enjoyed getting to know Mike Hawkinson here in Conway, AR. We are saddened to hear about the passing of his mother. Our sincere sympathies and condolences from all of the faculty and staff in the UCA Physical Therapy Department to the entire Hawkinson family.
I am so sorry for your loss. She was an amazing lady.
I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your mother/grandmother. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Kellie: My thoughts and prayers are with you on the passing of your mother. Cherish the memories! Barb Ordal(former vocal teacher at Gettysburg)
Shirley was a classmate of mine. Sincere Sympathy to her family
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Mike and family, My thoughts & prayers are with you and your families at this time.