Celia (Beracy, Howes) Hawk of Ithaca, Michigan passed away on March 4, 2018 at Masonic Pathways in Alma, at 99 years of age.
She was born on October 6, 1918 in Beebe, Emerson Township, to Michael Thomas and Mary Margaret (Pernish) Beracy, who came to this country from Czechoslovakia. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1937 and in September of 1940 was united in marriage to O. Frederick (Fred) Howes, who passed away in October 1973. Fred’s interests in local and Civil War history soon became her own and together they collected and shared their knowledge with the community. In February of 1983 Celia married Gerald K. Hawk who preceded her in death in October 1997.
Celia is survived by her daughter Janet (Kenneth) Zimmerman of Ithaca; son Frederick (Lois) Howes of Summerfield, North Carolina; grandchildren Wade and Amy Zimmerman, Rhonda Belden, and Mike and Kris Howes; stepchildren Richard Howes of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Janet (Jim) Cribbs of Laingsburg, Michigan, and Cindy (Kim) Smith of Stanton, Michigan and their families.
Also preceding her in death were her parents, six brothers (Mike, Jack, Chuck, Rudy, Lew and Joe), four sisters (Marie, Julia, Emily and Anne), son Tom Howes, and stepchildren Kenny Hawk and Bonnie Coe.
Celia worked at Larry’s Hardware, retiring in 1983 after 10 years. She was very interested in the Ithaca community and continued to share her historical resources with local enthusiasts and collectors. She was a hard worker who loved raising her family and took great pride in her gardens, sharing the results with friends and neighbors. In her spare time she enjoyed creating many items of craftwork and was always an inspiration with her humor and strength of spirit.
Visitation will be 2-4pm and 6-8pm Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca and funeral services will be 11am Thursday, March 8 at the funeral home . She will be laid to rest in Ithaca Cemetery. Celia’s wish was that Memorial Donations be given to the Ithaca Fire Department. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.