Bessie Mae (Peak) Hawke

Bessie Mae (Peak) Hawke, age 96, passed away on March 7, 2020 in Perrysburg, Ohio.  She was born on July 21, 1923 in Avon, Ohio, the 10th of 13 children born to Frederick and Ethel (Buck) Peak.  She was a graduate of Avon High School and a 1943 graduate of Cleveland’s Dyke Business College.  She worked as a secretary in Cleveland during World War II.  Bess married Nelson Earl Hawke in 1947 and they purchased a farm in Ashland, Ohio.  After becoming a farmer’s wife she came to enjoy gardening and baking.  Her cherry and coconut cream pies were second to none.  She was a devoted wife and mother.  Bess was a member of the First United Church of Ashland and sang in the choir.  She also enjoyed dancing, traveling, saxophone music, playing cards, and Cleveland and OSU sports.  She is survived by one brother, Everett (Nora) Peak of Avon, OH, three sons, Earl (Penny) Hawke of Urbana, OH, Dr. James (Lorna) Hawke of Perrysburg, OH, and Jon (Kristine) Hawke of Wooster, OH, as well as seven granddaughters, Carole, Betsy, Abby, Hannah, Molly, Susan, and Karen, 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by daughter Janet in 1961, husband Nelson in 1996, seven brothers Theodore, Robert, Herbert, Lloyd, William, Addison, George, and four sisters Gladys, Marian, Edna, and Lucy Jeanne. 

A funeral service will be held at Heyl Funeral Home in Ashland, OH on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 2:30 P.M. with Dr. James Hawke officiating.  Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. 

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