Jeffrey S. Hawkinson, 63, of Peoria, passed away on Friday morning, February 26, 2010, at his home on Peoria’s riverfront, surrounded by his loving wife, Cathi, and their four children.
There will be no formal funeral service. Jeff’s wish was to have a “Happy Hour.” It will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Peoria Art Guild, 203 Harrison, in Peoria.
Jeff was born in Galesburg on August 31, 1946, a son of Jack and Marcia (Nelson) Hawkinson. They preceded him in death. He married Cathi Cheney Cornish in Chicago on May 7, 1987. She survives.
He is also survived by his sons, Matt (Kristen) Hawkinson of Dallas, TX and Brett (Kathy) Cornish of Coal Valley; daughters, Julie (Andy) McClure of Champaign and Brigit (Tim) Grunow of East Peoria; four adorable grandchildren, Addison and Devan McClure and Bailey and Beau Grunow; brothers, Chris (Linda) Hawkinson of Galesburg and Joel (Sandy) Hawkinson of Sandwich.
After graduating from Galesburg High School in 1964, Jeff began his long list of “making a difference.” As President of the Student Senate at Bradley University, Jeff marched in support of civil rights with NAACP President John Gwynn from Bradley to Peoria’s City Hall in 1967 in protest over a city ordinance regarding off-campus housing for black students. The ordinance was amended. He was also Station and Program Manager for campus radio station WRBU; President of Pi Kappa Delta, an honorary speech society; Associate Judge of the campus supreme court; Junior Class Student Senate and a Varsity Debater. Hawkinson graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bradley University in 1968, where he also received his Masters in Communications in 1971.
His first job out of college was at WMBD radio. From there he went on to WXCL-AM as a newscaster. His radio career included being the only reporter to talk to Eddie Blakes on the scene of the hostage and shooting at St. Cecilia Grade School in 1973. Jeff would later testify at his trial.
In 1973, Jeff taught Broadcast News at Illinois State University, where he founded the nationally recognized student news program, TV-10. At its 30th anniversary in 2004, Illinois State University honored Jeff with its TV-10 Founder’s Award, which annually recognizes the top TV-10 senior.
From 1975 to 1986, “Hawk” held positions as Assignment Editor, News Director and Broadcast Manager at WEEK-TV. He took great pride in hiring some of the best news reporters, photographers and newsroom staff in the business, including Mike Dimmick, Lee Hall, Garry Moore, Mark Strauss, Jim Garrott, Christine Zak and Frasier Engerman, all of the Peoria area; NBC 5 News (Chicago) Political Reporter, Mary Ann Ahern, NBC 5 News Photographer, Mike Kingele, Tom Trucco (Chicago), John Wingate (Minneapolis), Paul Daniels (Milwaukee), Ken Killebrew (Florida), Kelly Morgan (Atlanta), Bob Tomaski (Bloomington), Paul Wheeler (Chicago) and many others.
From 1978 to 2002, Jeff was the Pronouncer of the televised Scripps Spelling Bee. He loved doing the Bee and, for twenty-four years, he took great pride in being a part of the annual spelling competition. He was quoted as saying, “My biggest goal is to treat each student the same. We always have kids returning from previous years, but I don’t want those who are there for the first time to think the veterans have any advantage. Each year, I’m amazed at these students. People ask me, ‘How do you spell all those words?’ It’s easy for me, I just have to read the words. I would like to think that when I was in school I would have been able to compete on their level, but I’m not sure I could have. That’s how impressive they are.”
From 1986 to 2002, Hawkinson was National Spokesperson, Annual Report Coordinator and Anchor of Background News at Caterpillar Inc.
Jeff and Cathi were honored with the United Way’s Hoot Gibson Award for volunteer efforts. It was the first time the award had been given to a couple. Jeff was also presented with the Salvation Army’s William Booth Award for Community Service in 2005. The award is the highest civilian award given by the Salvation Army.
Jeff passed away from complications related to his rare brain disease, Frontotemporal Dementia. He donated his brain to Northwestern University for research in hopes for some type of medication or cure.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to help carry on the good works of TV-10 or the Peoria Art Guild’s Fine Art Fair can give memorial donations as follows:
TV-10: Mail a gift to the Illinois State University Foundation for TV-10, Box 8000, Normal, IL 61790 or donate online at www.illinoisstatealumni.org and click on “Giving”. Please note Jeff Hawkinson’s name, so that the gifts are properly sent to TV-10.
Peoria Art Guild: Donations can be mailed to the Peoria Art Guild/Jeff Hawkinson, 203 Harrison, Peoria, Illinois 61602 or donate online at www.peoriaartguild.org and click on “Donate to Peoria Art Guild”.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.
| Mary Baysingar Brown |
Teacher I've Never Forgotten |
July 10, 2011 |
Mr. Hawkinson was my Speech teacher at Peoria Central HS (class of '72). I learned only in the past couple of days of his unfortunate passing from a group of former Central classmates on Facebook. I had great difficulty speaking in front of even small groups (like those in my Speech class). Mr. Hawkinson helped me tremendously in getting through my required Speech class. Even after all these years, I have never forgotten his support & encouragement, his kindness & very sweet smile.
| Louise Natonek |
condolences |
March 10, 2010 |
Cathi,
My thoughts and prayers with you and your family. You are a special woman indeed. I'll think of both of you while amongst the flowers at Greenview.
Louise
| Jeanie Cyr |
blessings |
March 6, 2010 |
Cathi-
Many people talk about making a difference, Jeff actually put his words into action. The two of you have given many blessings to our community. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeanie Cyr & Family
| Owen Ackerman |
Class Act |
March 6, 2010 |
Cathi,
Jeff & I became acquainted through our Salvation Army involvement. A real class guy---someone who was always dependable in doing a 1st class job. He did much for the Army, and now he has received his "Promotion to Glory".
Sorry I will not be with you this afternoon as I will not be returning to Peoria until next week.
Our prayers are with you, Owen
| Monica Vest Wheeler |
Thanks for the inspiration |
March 6, 2010 |
Cathi, if you only knew how many people you and Jeff have inspired with your love and commitment to each during the good times and challenges. Jeff had incredible insight and intuition and a depth of compassion that is truly rare and often at its best behind-the-scenes. He exhibited incredible strength in the face of this horrible disease and together, you kept battling it and all the obstacles along the way with unimaginable energy and dignity. Know that I'm sending love and hugs to you. Thank you for giving Jeff a well-deserved "happy hour" and sharing him with all of us.
