Mr. Cleo A. Hawk

1932 - 2017

Retired funeral director, Cleo A. Hawk, 84, of Sligo died Sunday, January 8, 2017, at home surrounded by his family.

Born October 15, 1932, in Sligo, he was the son of Guy and Gladys Hetrick Hawk.

He married Patricia Stitt on February 4, 1955. She preceded him in death.

Mr. Hawk was a 1951 graduate of Union High School.

After graduation, he worked at the Eric Steel Mill before joining the Marine Corps where he served from 1953 through 1955. Upon leaving the service, Mr. Hawk attended mortuary school in Pittsburgh where he apprenticed from 1956 through 1957.

Mr. Hawk and his father, Guy, ran the Hawk Funeral Home for many years until Cleo purchased the family business.

He ran ambulance and held many funeral services for families in Sligo and the surrounding communities.

Mr. Hawk was instrumental in helping start what is known today as the Community Ambulance Service.

He was a member of the Sligo Lions Club, he also served on the Board of Directors for Clarion Hospital and built Sligo's Post Office.

After retiring, he and his wife, Pat, wintered at their home in Florida.

Besides traveling, woodworking, hunting and fishing, Mr. Hawk and his wife enjoyed spending time at the river, boating and hosting their annual Hawaiian Luau.

Later in life, he looked forward to playing cards with his buddies and most enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

Mr. Hawk had a great sense of humor, loving to tell jokes and stories. He hoped to be remembered for his extensive service to his community as well as his great love for his family.

Survivors include two daughters, Ellen Rettinger and her husband, Jeff, of Oil City, and Joyce Hawk and her husband, Matt, of Pittsburgh; a son, Gordon Hawk and his wife, Donna, of Rimersburg; Mr. Hawk as devoted to his children as well as his three grandchildren, Korey Hawk and his wife, Kara, of Sligo, Rory Bowler of Pittsburgh, and Abbey Burns and her husband, Billy, of Curllsville; and his pride and joy were his five great-grandchildren, Kennedi, Kohlton and Kalli Hawk, and Karson Bowler and Nolan Burns.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, at the Burns Funeral Home and Crematorium, Inc. in Rimersburg.

Military honors will be accorded at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, in the funeral home by the American Legion Honor Guard Post No. 0454 and the VFW Post No. 7132 of Rimersburg.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the funeral home with the Rev. Stephanie Weaver, pastor of the Sligo Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Sligo Cemetery.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com.