Ilion - Ruth V. Hawkins, 83, formerly of McGowan Road, passed away on Wednesday morning, May 16, 2001 in Valley Heath Services Inc., Herkimer where she had resided since 1998. She was born on July 26, 1917, in Herkimer a daughter of the late Howard C. and Evelyn M. Faulder Wicks. A lifelong area resident she was educated in Herkimer. On November 28, 1940, she married George C. Hawkins in Christ Episcopal Church, Herkimer. A loving and devoted union of 54 years until his passing on December 20, 1994. George and Ruth lived in Herkimer until 1974 moving then to Ilion. As a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Ruth dedicated her life to her family and her home. She had a strong Christian belief and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. She had served on the Church Altar Guild Society and was a member of the Herkimer Home Bureau. Surviving her are four sons, William Bateman of Herkimer, George Hawkins, Jr. of Hayward, CA, Thomas Hawkins and his wife Patricia of New Hartford, Gary Hawkins of Herkimer; two daughters, Mary LaGase of Ilion, Carol Alexander and her husband Robert of Oneida; one brother, Melvin Wicks and his wife Josephine of Syracuse, three sisters Thelma Cameron of Monroe, CT, Ella Johnson of Arlington, VA, Evelyn Matteson of Buffalo; fourteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husband she was preceded in death by five grandchildren, Billy LaGase, Kim, Kelly and Kari Bateman, John Alexander, three brothers Willard, Howard, and Henry Wicks two sisters Winifred Munson and Virginia Fenton. Funeral service will be on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Christ Episcopal Church with the Reverend Brian Kellington rector of Christ Episcopal Church and the Reverend George Greene rector of St. Augustine Church Ilion officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer on Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.