Delinda Lee Hawkins, 49, of Gerlaw, Illinois died peacefully at home Wednesday, January 25, 2023, after a courageous 5 year battle with cancer.
Delinda was born September 13, 1973, in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Dale Edward and Diana Kay (Guthrie) Simon. Delinda graduated from Camp Point Central High School in 1991 and earned her BS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. From 1995 to 1996 Delinda worked as an accountant for Ernst and Young in Chicago, Illinois. From 1996 until now, Delinda worked for RSM Management Consulting as a certified public accountant on the tax side of accounting services.
Delinda married Thomas G. Hawkins on January 11, 1997, in Quincy, Illinois. Delinda and Tom celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary two weeks ago. Delinda is survived by her husband, Tom, and their two sons, Clark and Reid. She is also survived by her parents, Dale and Diana Simon of Coatsburg, Illinois; her brother, Darren (Brooke) Simon of St. Charles, Illinois.
Delinda earned her Certified Public Accountant designation in 1998 and was a member in good standing of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Aside from her love of her work, Delinda’s life revolved around family. She spent many years being the biggest cheerleader at her sons’ sporting events including, football, baseball, basketball, and track and field. She was active in all the parent organizations supporting youth sports, and a longtime member of the Galesburg Athletic Booster Club. Over the years, Delinda developed a love for the game of football.
Delinda loved country life, enjoying sitting on the deck watching nature, listening to country music, and taking walks on the country roads. She enjoyed life to the fullest and loved traveling, especially if it included sunshine and the beach. She loved eating seafood, especially crab legs. Delinda had a dry sense of humor and went through life with grit and determination.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Coldbrook Christian Church, rural Galesburg. Pastor Mary Runge will officiate. Burial follows at Mosher Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Delinda’s memory to Peoria Affiliate Clinic-St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
