Richard C. Hawkins age 89, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at his home in Trenton. Richard was born March 3, 1925 in Mt. Vernon, IL a son of Elmer John and Ruby Mae (Richards) Hawkins. He married Evelyn G. Breedlove December 11, 1945 and she preceded him in death on November 7, 2006. Richard joined the Marines to fight for his country in WWII serving from August 20, 1943 to November 19, 1945. Upon returning from the war he met Evelyn, and evidently it was love at first sight as they were married 3 weeks later. He had worked for the car shops in Mt. Vernon, the Chevrolet Car plant in St. Louis, Lays Welding in Mt. Vernon, Taylor Bros in Tamaroa, and for the majority of his work life, coal mine construction for Bollheimer Construction, and Roberts & Schaefer Co. Richard was well known for his Santa look-alike appearance and represented Santa for more than 30 years at schools, clubs, malls and the last couple of years at Trenton Village Assisted living for the local daycares. He is survived by his three daughters, Judy A. Riggs, Shirley M. Muggleston both of Concord, California and T. Diane Woltering and husband Dennis of Aviston, Illinois; son, Michael W. Hawkins and wife Leslie of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren Billie Jean Riggs, Timothy Riggs, Jason Hawkins, Destin Hawkins, Travis Hill, and Richard W. Hawkins; three step-grandchildren, Jeff (Nancy) Woltering, Shelly (Tom) Albers, and Matt (Amy) Woltering; six great-grandchildren, Heather Riggs, Brock Woltering, Kaitlyn Albers, Kaylee Albers, Shawn Albers, Hannah Woltering and one on the way; siblings, Elmer Hawkins Jr. of Daytona Beach, Florida, Betty Wallace of Sioux Falls, SD, Nancy Gunn of Freeport, Maine, and Larry (Kay) Hawkins of Mt. Vernon. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Darla J. Hawkins; granddaughter, Misty R. Hawkins; great-granddaughter, Alyssa L. Woltering; and a sister, Juanita Adams. Memorial Service and Military Flag presentation for Richard C. Hawkins will be held 4 p.m. Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with the American Legion Post 141 Chaplain Ernie Collins officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. For those who wish memorials may be made to the Park Avenue Food Pantry or the American Legion Post 141 and will be accepted at the Newell Funeral Home 2707 North Street Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.