Word was received in Grimsby on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1924, of the death that morning of the Rev. Dr. Fred A. Hawke, District Manager of the Manhattan, Kansas, Methodist Conference. He was stricken with pneumonia at his summer home near Colorado Springs and was taken to the hospital there. Mr. Hawke was a native of Grimsby, a son of the late Rev. William Hawke, but had been in Kansas for a number of years.
The following from the Winfield, (Kansas) Free Press of Sept. 6 show the esteem in which Mr. Hawke was held by all who knew him:
The funeral services for Dr. F.A. Hawke, who died in Colorado Springs Wednesday morning, were held at the First Methodist Church Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. The service was very beautiful, very simple and very impressive.
For an hour preceding the funeral service, the body had lain in state and the kindly face of the former pastor was viewed by many scores of people. The casket was covered and surrounded by flowers and the altar banked with them.
Dr. J.M. McClelland, pastor of the church, was in charge of the service. He read the familiar passages of scripture from the burial service. The opening prayer was made by Dr. George H. Parkinson, pastor of the First Methodist church of Manhattan. Dr. S.J. Heaton, Supt. of the Independence District, spoke for the ministers and the superintendents of the Kansas conference. He emphasized the regard in which Dr. Hawke was held by his associates in the conference, how his judgment was respected and how the superintendents loved him. He spoke with great feeling and emotion.
The funeral address was delivered by Bishop Ernest L. Waldorf of Kansas City, who spoke briefly but very effectively on the character, ability and great devotion of Dr. Hawke.
Without formal introduction Bishop Waldorf stated that his presence here at this time was evidence of the high regard in which he held Dr. Hawke. With many large affairs of the church pressing upon him for solution he dropped all and came to add his presence and pay a personal tribute of appreciation and respect.
The bishop paid a very high tribute to the worth of Dr. Hawke. He said he was one of his dependable district superintendents. He was loyal to his church, with a high sense of personal honor, always kind and thoughtful for the men of the district, well poised and with a true Christian character.
Among the outstanding things in which Dr. Hawke excelled, said the Bishop, was the ability to select the essential things of life. While others were striving for lesser things he strove for the great essentials. Among the things for which he strove was truth. He knew that truth would triumph in the end. Even if crushed to earth it would rise again. Wisdom to apply the truth also was his, and for it he strove with great zeal and earnestness.
Above these, however, he placed character. His character was wholly and fully that of the devout Christian. Character such as his is good at the banks of earth and it is the only coin which passes at the bank of Heaven. With these and above these he placed love. His love for his fellow men, his love for the ministers on his district, his love for his people was so outstanding it was noticeable. His love was so great he lost himself in devoted service for those near him and for his church.
Following his beautiful tribute the bishop led in a closing prayer.
The music of the service was rendered by Mrs. P.W. Gibson with Mrs. E.H. Pierce at the organ. She sang most beautifully "Crossing the Bar", one of Dr. Hawke's favorite hymns.
Mr. N.F. Calder of Winnipeg, Canada, Dr. R.M. Calder of St. Catharines, Ont., Canada, brothers of Mrs. Hawke; Mr. A.F. Hawke of Grimsby, Ont., Canada; Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Noble of Wichita, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Clossen, Miss Leila Elliott and Miss Amy Sevier of Coffeyville, Mr. and Mrs. Forest Gray of Panca City, Okla., were here to attend the funeral services.
District Superintendents present were Dr. C.B. Zook of Toronto, Dr. W.C. Hansen of Fort Scott, Dr. John McLean of Atchison, Rev. Fred M. Bailey of Kansas City, Kan., Rev. S.J. Heaton of Independence.
[other ministers present listed]
The pallbearers were H.E. Kibbe, J.E. Shackelton, L.C. Barnard, E.H. Pierce, W.L. Cooper and W.G. Anderson, members of the church while Dr. Hawke was pastor.
The visiting ministers formed a group of honorary pallbearers.
Burial was made in the Mausoleum. At the final service Bishop Waldorf was in charge. The prayer of commitment was made by Dr. W.A. Keve of Chanute, Kansas, secretary of the Kansas conference, and the closing prayer was made by Dr. John MacLean, superintendent of the Atchison district.
Dr. Hawke was born on March 27, 1861 in Wardville, Ontario. He was married to Miss Ella Calder, who survives him, Feb. 24, 1884. Two children, Dr. C.C. Hawke of Winfield and one daughter Margaret Hawke mourn the loss of a father. His mother, Mrs. William Hawke, who is 94 years old, lives in Grimsby, Ontario. One brother, A.F.Hawke, also lives at Grimsby; three sisters, Miss Betty Hawke, of Weston-Super-Mere, England, Mrs. C.H. Bishop, Toronto, Canada, and Mrs. R.M. Hazelwood of Grimsby, Ont. mourn the loss of a brother.
