Eileen J. (Bauman) Hawkins of Manistee, Mich., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at her home. She was 81. The eldest child of the late Mark and June (Cooper) Bauman, she was born Sept. 24, 1935 in Manistee and graduated from Manistee High School in 1953. On Oct. 23, 1954, she was joined in marriage to Kenneth G. Hawkins at the Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage on First at Division Streets by Rev. E. A. Hessler, and they enjoyed 53 years together until Ken passed away on May 1, 2008.

Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, musician, artist, writer, active in her community and one heck of a bowler in her day...Eileen was all of these things and more. She packed a lot of living in her 81 years, and her path intersected that of many others. Perhaps you knew her as a young child or attended Manistee High School with her, or she entertained you with music and singing at your wedding reception, anniversary party, family reunion or a public venue. Did she bowl on a league with you at Manistee Lanes? Or interview you as the public relations director for the Manistee Public Schools? Maybe she was a fellow volunteer on the hospital auxiliary or served with you on the prison liaison board. In addition to the family that knew, loved and respected her talents, wisdom and courage, she will befondly remembered by many whose lives she touched in these various ways.

Music figured prominently in Eileen's life, beginning with the purchase of her first accordion at age 15 through the many years The Ken Hawkins Polka/Variety Band was active. She and Ken truly enjoyed performing together as well as with other musicians. Along the way they produced three CDs of some of their most popular tunes, and in 2003 they and another band took 62 dancers on a Caribbean cruise where they performed in four different venues on the ship over seven days. She and Ken were inducted into the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame in Owosso on Oct. 7, 2012 with 27 family members and friends in attendance - a proud day indeed.

Eileen will be reunited with those who have gone before, including her parents; husband, best friend and soulmate Ken; son Mark; and sister Jean Hogan.

She will be dearly missed by sons Jon Hawkins of Beulah and Patric Hawkins (Karen LaBerge) of Wyoming; daughters Taina (Tim) Barbe of Byron Center and Kaatje Hawkins of Wyoming; granddaughter Heather Farrell and great-grandson Myles Farrell of Byron Center; brother Kenneth (Sue) Bauman and sister Lois Griswold of Manistee; uncle Merlyn (Jeanie) Cooper of St Louis, Missouri; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

According to Eileen's wishes cremation has taken place. A Remembrance Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 550 Oak St., Manistee, on Saturday, May 6. Visitation at the church will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at which time the service will take place with Rev. Dennis D. Rahn officiating. Following the service, lunch will be served in the church gymnasium.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers remembrance memorials may be given to Relay for Life of Manistee County in the name Ken Hawkins Polka Variety Band. Envelopes will be available at the service or the funeral home.

Arrangements are being handled by the Herbert Funeral Home, P.C.706 KosciuskoSt., Manistee, Mich.