Elmer Cecil Hawkins of Decatur passed away at home on September 1, 2020. 

He was born an only child in Canton, Missouri on Nov. 13, 1929. In 1943, he met Ginny when he moved to Donnelson, Iowa and they were married on Aug. 26, 1951. He graduated from the U of I in 1952 with a degree in Accounting and earned his law degree in 1955. He served in the Army as an auditor until 1957 when they moved to Decatur and he became a founding partner in the law firm of Brown, Hawkins & Basola. He continued to practice law until his death.

During his time in Decatur he was actively involved in the Jaycees, Ambucs, American Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Decatur Bar Association, Decatur Illini Club, Landlords Association, First United Methodist Church, volunteered at SCORE, and served on the board of the Cunningham Children's Home. He taught Accounting and Business Law at Milliken University for 32 years and he was a member of South Side Country Club for over 50 years.

His greatest love was for his family and his life is being celebrated by his surviving children and spouses: Geri McGrath and Tom Lengsfeld, John and Laura Hawkins, Amy and Bill Stice of Chatham; Robert and Susan Hawkins; and Jeff and Mona Hawkins. He also leaves behind his eight grandchildren: Marni, Jordan, Brynn, Wesley, Austin, Dyllan, Corbin and Avani as well as nine great-grandchildren.