Person:James Hawkins (73)

    Lilly Belle Jarrett and James Mont Hawkins were born, married, and lived their lives in Tipton County, Indiana. Mont farmed and raised cattle, and they raised three daughters in the Victorian home two miles east of Sharpsville,that Mont's father Jonas had built in 1894. They were very active in community affairs and were respected by all who knew them. 
    Mont was born 12 March 1892, the fifth child of Jonas and Louisa Hawkins, and was named for his mother's brother, James Mont Turner. As a youth he worked for his father, and attended the Naylor one room school, nearby. There was no high school at that time. Mont loved auto racing. The brothers raced each other, their friends, and the trains. Mont never missed an Indianapolis "500" until after World War II. He was a Mason, a member of the Lions Club, and had served on the school  board. One of his favorite past-times was croquet, and on a summer Saturday afternoon you could find him playing in Sharpsville. One time when his daughter "Peg" was with him, some one hit a fly that hit her and left a large knot on her head. Mont and Belle attended the Sharpsville Methodist Church.    
    Belle, born 21 August 1893, was the daughter of William Henry and Mary Ellen (Lee) Jarrett. She taught school before she and Mont were married on 4 November 1915. Belle was active in the Helpful Hint Club, other local clubs, the school, and the church. 
    Belle, who was 80 years of age,  died on 26 August 1973. Mont died at the age of 85, 10 December 1977. Both rest in the Sharpsville, Indiana cemetery. 
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Census - 1940 Liberty Twp, Tipton Co., IN, Sheet 3-B, line # 9, James Mont & Belle Hawkins +4 children, grand-uncle, owns $8,000 home, age 48. Phillip A. Hawkins

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Obituary, James Mont Hawkins, Kokomo, Indiana Tribune, 12 Dec 1977

    SHARPSVILLE, Ind. - Funeral services for James Mont Hawkins, 85, Sharpsville R. R. 2, will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Sharpsville United Methodist Church with the' Rev. Robert Shoemaker officiating.
    Graveside services will be held at the Sharpsville Cemetery by the Masons.
    Friends may call Monday (today) between 2 and 9 p.m. at-the Warner-Doyer Funeral Home here.
    Hawkins, a retired farmer, died in his home from a fire of undetermined origin Saturday, Dec. 10. 1977. He lived alone.
    Born March 12, 1892, in this community, he was the son of. Jonas Elwood and Louise (Turner) Hawkins. His wife, Lilly Belle (Jarrett) Hawkins, died Aug. 20, 1973.
    He was a member of the Sharpsville Lions Club, a past school board member, a 50-year member of Sharpsville Masonic Lodge. and he attended Sharpsville United Methodist Church.
    Surviving are three daughters, Mary Lou Hawkins of Des Plaines, Ill., Margaret (Peg) Hawkins of Kokomo and Mrs. Max (Jane) Henderson, Sharpsville; one sister, Mrs. Haines (Marjorie) Sleeth of Kokomo; and two grandchildren.
    Four sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

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    The Sharpsville Volunteer Fire Department, during the late night, was delayed by heavily drifting snow, as I remember being told four hours to dig through. It was bitter cold. Phillip A. Hawkins