Russell A. Hawk

Russell A. "Russ" Hawk, 80, of Dover passed away unexpectedly on December 23, 2008.

He was born February 12, 1928 near Bakersville, Ohio and was the son of the late Albert and Christina (Ott) Hawk.

On November 13, 1949, Russell married Wilma Bahmer. Together they raised four children on a 100-acre farm near Bakersville, where they lived from 1949 until 1989.

During the early years, Russell was a self-employed pipeline contractor. In 1960, he founded Dover Contracting, Inc., a successful pipeline company that he owned and operated for 48 years. After selling the company, to Miller Pipeline Corp. in October of 2008, he remained a full-time consultant, which allowed him to continue doing the work that he always enjoyed.

Russell enjoyed watching sports and working in his yard, but above all, he loved to travel. He traveled extensively. He and Wilma visited many interesting place including; Australia, Africa, South America, and Asia.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Wilma Hawk; two daughters, Susan (Husband, Mark) Campbell of Newcomerstown, and Judy (husband, Andrew) Woodgeard of Springfield, Ohio; two sons, David Hawk of Clover, South Carolina, and Gary Hawk of Mineral City; four grandchildren, Jennifer Fairchild of Clover, South Carolina, Sommer Fairchild of Sanford Florida, Morgan and David Hawk both of Clover South Carolina; a great-granddaughter, Kennedy Hensley of Sanford Florida; four brothers, William (wife, Maxine) Hawk of Dover, James (wife, Phyllis) Hawk of New Philadelphia, Gordan (wife, Marilyn) Hawk of East Sparta, and Robert Hawk of West Lafayette; and two sisters, Nancy (husband, Emil) Choran of Massillon, Doris (husband, Robert) Harstine of Baltic.

In addition to his parents, his sister-in-law, Betty Hawk, precedes Russ in death.

A celebration of Russell's life will take place at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory in Dover on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 11:00 am with Rev. Michael Lowry officiating. Burial will follow at Dover Burial Park. Following the service of committal, a meal will be served at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center, 831 Boulevard, in Dover. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday, December 26, 2008 from 4-7 pm.

Those unable to attend or who wish to share a fond memory of Russell may do so by visiting the obituary link on the funeral home's website.