Obituaries

Everett Hawbaker

February 18, 1929 - January 25, 2012

Everett Hawbaker, age 82, of Batavia, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday January 25, 2012. Born February 18, 1929 to John M. and Ferne Hawbaker, of Minburn, Iowa, he was an Illinois resident for 46 years.He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn (Cox) Hawbaker, three sons, James E. (Sandra) Hawbaker of Bartlett, Illinois, Thomas A. (Brenda) Hawbaker of Nottingham, Maryland, and Donald F. (Gayle) of Griffin, Georgia; three daughters, Karen J. (Rick) Willey, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Deanne S. ( Rev. Timothy) Wynne of Union Grove, Wisconsin, and Laura J. (Rev. Daniel) Harrison of Lake-in-the-Hills, Illinois. Twenty-five grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren also survive.  He is also survived by his brother, Rev. Marvin (Cathy) Hawbaker, of Romulus, Michigan and three sisters, Clesta (Ernest) Keller of Spencer, Indiana, Susan (Rev. Thomas) Wright of Elkhart, Indiana and Marilyn (Jon) Brower of Alamo, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.  Everett was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Kenneth Hawbaker of Urbandale, Iowa; his sister-in-law Wava Hawbaker of Adel, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Dr. Gordon Hess of Spencer, Indiana.  As a youth he farmed with his father until answering God’s call to ministry at the age of 18. He graduated from Baptist Bible College and Seminary, now of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and also Central College, Pella, Iowa in 1953 and1954. He was the pastor of seven Baptist churches over a period of 52 years, with a specialty in ministry of strengthening young churches. Everett held church pastorates in Hunts Corners, New York; Webster City and Reinbeck, Iowa; Huron, South Dakota; and Lombard, Bensenville and St. Charles, Illinois. His ministry was characterized by faithful exposition and application of the truths of the Bible, building personal relationships with church members through counseling, hospital visits, service to each family's need, and an energetic program of ministry to the youth of the congregation.  In addition to his pastoral duties, he joined the staff of Awana Clubs International of Streamwood, Illinois in 1985 as Director of US Missions. In 1993 he traveled with his wife and a team of young people to assist in an Awana children’s camp in Cherkassy, Ukraine. As Representative for Northern Eurasia and as Director of International Missions, he traveled many times to Russia and Eastern European countries assisting believers as they started and maintained Awana clubs in local churches. Everett personally transported many supplies and worked with translators in the production of Awana Club materials in different languages. After retiring in 2000 he served as the interim pastor of Bethel Baptist Church of St. Charles, Illinois for two years.  A strong believer in the value of Christian youth camping, Everett took leadership in the operation and maintenance of youth camps at Clear Lake, Iowa, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Camp Manitoumi near Metamora, Illinois and Awana Scholarship Camp in Lake Ann, Michigan. He assisted in the establishment and direction of Awana Club camps in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, from 1993 to 1997.  He went Home to be with the Lord after a long struggle with progressive supranuclear palsy. He leaves a legacy of faithful service to God and the communities in which he was called to minister.  Visitation will be Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. (Rt. 31) in Batavia.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, January 30, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Geneva, 2300 South Street in Geneva where he will lie in state from 9:00 A.M. until the hour of the service.  Interment will follow in West Batavia Cemetery. 

Memorials

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Slavic Gospel Association, 6151 Commonwealth Drive, Loves Park, IL 61111 in Everett Hawbaker’s name.

Guest Book

  • Peggy Booth Clore My best memories of Pastor Hawbaker are of his times at Camp Manitoumi at Junior Boys camps. Mrs. Hawbaker would play the piano and he would lead singing. I especially remember his holding the signs for "Stop and Let Me Tell You ....what the Lord has done for me." Another favorite was "The Bible Stands Like a Rock Undaunted in the raging storms of time..." He had a calm and steady demeanor, was a man of deep faith, and his service for the Saviour goes on in the lives he touched. (Karen, I remember fondly our times at camp during those weeks). 'Praying for the family and expressing my deepest sympathies.
  • Doug Compton I was a teenager when I first knew Pastor Hawbaker. Working as a teen at Camp Manitoumi I remember his tireless work at the camp. When I returned to Illinois as a young pastor, I often met or spoke to Pastor Hawbaker for counsel and respected his godly wisdom and experience. He was a great encouragement to me as a young pastor. When I went through a crisis in my life and ministry, he was one of the first men who called me to encourage and support me. I will never forget his faithful service to God and his compassionate heart. What a blessing to know that his service that was often behind the scenes did not go unnoticed by his Lord nor unrewarded. I pray for God's grace and comfort to the Hawbaker family.
  • Jack and Nancy Dowden To a godly man, who was a wonderful friend of our family. Our prayers are with all of you as you walk "through the valley of the shadow of death".
  • Larry M. Bosley Everett had a very special place in the growth of our family in the Lord as he ministered to us at Grace Baptist Church in Lombard, Illinois. May our Lord provide an extra measure of His wonderful Grace to Carolyn and the rest of their family in this time of nee.
  • Alyce Fitch With sincere sympathy and Christian love to all the family......I have fond memories of "my pastor of 10 years" and his dear wife Carolyn and their children.
  • Diana Enders All I can say is what an amazing person pastor was! You will be dearly miss I will never forget our trips with the Awana group to Camp Manitoumi you had your hands full with all of US! Thank you for your service in God.
  • Marilyn Brower Most of our lives we have spent separated by miles here on earth, but I have always felt close to you in heart, Big Brother. Your (and Carolyn's) example of faithfulness and service to our Lord has been a source of stability and encouragement to me always, and especially the way you chose to face these last several years of difficulty. Our God has truly received the Glory as all have seen your sweet spirit of submission to His plan. Thank you for staying faithful to Him! You are so precious to me.
  • Sherry Bernot What an encourager, Pastor Hawbaker was to me as a young missionary with BMM in Campus Bible Fellowship. I think he did a favor for his friend, JO Purcell, my pastor by letting me present CBF to Grace Baptist Church in Lombard, Il. But then the church took on part of my financial & prayer support. I also remember him at Camp Manitoumi. Carolyn, thank you for your encouragement back then too. May our LORD comfort you with remembering the good life you to had together & in serving Him as you look forward to whatever lies ahead whenever you join him to worship & serve our Savior.
  • Lori Harrison I could never have asked for a better father and spiritual role model. I am so proud to be your daughter and so blessed by God that He put you into my life. You taught me what it means to work hard for the Lord and to love people who are not always easy to love. You were the hardest worker I've ever known! I'll always remember all of the home improvements you did on our house and how you made my boys eat cottage cheese! Now they love it!! :) Your passion for Awana and ministering to children burns now in me. Thank you for giving me that precious gift. I love you with my whole heart and I will always miss you terribly. You will never be forgotten and your legacy will live on for God's glory. With all of my love forever, Lori
  • Lori Harrison I could never have asked for a better father and spiritual role model. I am so proud to be your daughter and so blessed by God that He put you into my life. You taught me what it means to work hard for the Lord and to love people who are not always easy to love. You were the hardest worker I've ever known! I'll always remember all of the home improvements you did on our house and how you made my boys eat cottage cheese! Now they love it!! :) Your passion for Awana and ministering to children burns now in me. Thank you for giving me that precious gift. I love you with my whole heart and I will always miss you terribly. You will never be forgotten and your legacy will live on for God's glory. With all of my love forever, Lori
  • Joyce Bosley We are thankful for Everett Hawbaker and the impact he made in our lives and the lives of so many others. You could always see his love of the Lord and for people. He cared so much about their eternity. Now he is with his Lord and no longer suffering. Heaven seems sweeter every day and one day we will all be reunited with him!! May God bless his precious family at this time.
  • Kurt and Janna Odenthal It was an honor to have worked with you at Awana. We will miss you!
  • Phil Whitehead It was truly and honour and privilege to serve and minister with Everett. He had a heart for God and for missions.
  • Ronald Wright The world has lost a valiant warrior for Jesus Christ, tirelessly spreading the gospel throughout his life here on earth. May his legacy live on through all of us. May Gods hand of peace and comfort be with Aunt Carolyn today and always.
  • Melissa Thorwall I love you Grandpa! I'll always remember all the fun we had at your house when we were young. We loved that treehouse of yours that you kept so nice for us. I can always hear you saying "Come on piggies, eat up that soup!" I thought all your squirrel feeders were so cool. I'll always remember the long speeches at every family gathering, and the tons of projects and house repairs you did happily for our family. Summer after summer of fun at Camp Manitoumi. I thought it was so cool that you and Grandma were missionaries and loved all the neat stuff you brought us from the Ukraine and Russia. Most of all, i'll remember how much you cared for each of us spiritually- you wanted to be sure all of your grandchildren had a personal relationship with the Lord! You were such a wonderful man of God and example to us! You were so welcoming when I brought Drew in as part of the family and encouraging to him in the ministry. I am so thankful that you were able to meet Belle, Axel, and Obed, and I will be proud to tell them about you! I will really miss you, but I am so glad you are not suffering anymore and are with Jesus. I know your crown has gotta be so heavy with jewels! I love you so much Grandpa! Love always, Melissa :)
  • Glenn and Jan Rohrbach Praise God for a life fully lived for Christ and an example for all to follow. Heaven has added to its richness. For Mrs. Hawbaker and the entire family you are remain in our prayers. II Cor 1:3-4.
  • Melissa Thorwall I love you Grandpa! I'll always remember all the fun we had at your house when we were young. We loved that treehouse of yours that you kept so nice for us. I can always hear you saying "Come on piggies, eat up that soup!" I thought all your squirrel feeders were so cool. I'll always remember the long speeches at every family gathering, and the tons of projects and house repairs you did happily for our family. Summer after summer of fun at Camp Manitoumi. I thought it was so cool that you and Grandma were missionaries and loved all the neat stuff you brought us from the Ukraine and Russia. Most of all, i'll remember how much you cared for each of us spiritually- you wanted to be sure all of your grandchildren had a personal relationship with the Lord! You were such a wonderful man of God and example to us! You were so welcoming when I brought Drew in as part of the family and encouraging to him in the ministry. I am so thankful that you were able to meet Belle, Axel, and Obed, and I will be proud to tell them about you! I will really miss you, but I am so glad you are not suffering anymore and are with Jesus. I know your crown has gotta be so heavy with jewels! I love you so much Grandpa! Love always, Melissa :)
  • Paul Pugh Rejoicing that this MAN of GOD rests with him tonight! Pastor was always respected and loved deeply in our family, and he shaped all of us in who we are today. The craziest memory of him came back to me today when I heard of his passing. During the years I mowed lawn for his Calvary church he once stressed to me that a lawn wasnt mowed unless it was also trimmed well!! To this day it is a huge pet peeve of mine to see a half mowed property!! LOL His LOVE OF GOD though was clear to all and we truly have lost a GREAT MAN!!
  • Tim & Deanne Wynne We will miss you very much, Dad. What a wonderful man you were. We are so thankful for you and the influence you had in our lives and our children's lives. We are sooo happy to know that you are walking and talking in Heaven now with Jesus.