Mel Hawk

Mel Hawk, 84, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare/All Saints on Friday, November 20, 2009. He was born in St. Joseph, MO, on July 4, 1925, to the late Ernest and Myrtle (nee: Wiley) Hawk. He graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph where he was Student Body President. He was united in marriage to the former Shirley Strohl in Kansas City, KS on Sept 22, 1945.

Mel served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, as an Ensign in the supply corps from 1943-1945. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans, graduating in 1947 with a bachelor of business administration degree. Following graduation he was employed by the Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans as an advertising rep. After working in the newspaper field for several years, he moved to Racine in 1960 to work for S.C. Johnson in product management, eventually promoted to group product manager of furniture care products, including “Pledge” and “Favor.” In 1977, he was employed by the Bristol-Myers household products division in Cincinnati, OH, as group director of new product development.

He retired in January 1986 and moved to Florida for 16 years before returning to Racine to be near his family.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley; two children, Steve of Racine and David (Laurie) of Columbus, OH; four grandchildren, Yuri and Christopher of Racine, Jeffrey (Stephanie), Kelly (Seth) Jackson of Columbus, OH; one great-granddaughter of Columbus, OH. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Eugene Hawk of Wichita, KS.

Funeral services will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Friday November 27, 2009, at 2 p.m. with Dr. Miritz officiating. Friends may meet at the church on Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of service.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361