Merril W. Hawkins

Merril W. Hawkins, 92, of Citrus Springs, passed away on Fri., June 1, 2012 at Always There Assisted Living in Citrus Springs. A native of New York, NY, he was born Jan. 4, 1920 to William W. and Zoe V. (Hughes) Hawkins. Merril protected and served the citizens of New York for many years as a police officer with Suffolk County Police for 23 years, also as a firefighter with Wyandanch Fire Dept. on Long Island for 25 years. When he retired to Citrus Springs in 1973, he was a charter member and a founder of the Citrus Springs Volunteer Fire Dept., serving that unit for 20 more years. Mr. Hawkins was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and a member of American Legion Post 58 in Dunnellon. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joan E. Hawkins of Citrus Springs; daughter Lori Klein of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; daughter Donna Walsh of Bay Shore, NY, son Glenn Hawkins and his wife Debbie of Sayville, L.I., NY; son Gary Hawkins and his wife Eileen of Peoria, Arizona; stepson Bob Hicks and his wife Clara of Citrus Springs, sister Zora Schultz of Dunnellon, FL; sister Marvanne Hawkins of Norwood, CO; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Remembrance will be held on Fri., June 8th at 1:00 P.M. at Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills with interment following in Fero Memorial Gardens with honors provided by the American Legion and Citrus Springs Volunteer Fire Dept. Friends will be received on Thurs., June 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Fero Funeral Home. www.ferofuneralhome.com