The IPHC Remembers
Bishop Charles L. Hawes, Sr.
1937-2023
Charles Lawrence Hawes was born to Edith and George Hawes on August 9, 1937, in Conneaut, Ohio. He went home suddenly to be with the love of his life, Jesus Christ, on Friday, March 10, 2023, in Dunn, North Carolina.
Charles graduated from Conneaut High School in 1955. After his marriage to Dale Gardner on March 13, 1959, he and his bride began to follow the call God had placed on their lives. He was licensed and ordained in the Pennsylvania Conference (now known as River of Life Ministries). In 1967, the couple moved to Lorain, Ohio, to pastor Wings of Faith Church.
Bishop Hawes and his wife, Rev. Dale Gardner Hawes, committed their lives and ministry to the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC). In the 1980s, he served on the board of the Pennsylvania Conference for a single term. In 2006, he was elected superintendent of the River of Life Ministries, headquartered in Greenville, Pennsylvania. While leading the conference, he also pastored Bethel Chapel PHC in Lorain. He retired as Bishop in 2014.
Bishop Dale Adams, present superintendent of River of Life Ministries, says Bishop Hawes was a humble and selfless leader. “He was instrumental in leading the Pennsylvania Conference through a major transition as the board navigated the name change from Pennsylvania Conference to River of Life Ministries,” he says, “He loved his time as Bishop and served the pastors and the conference well.”
In addition to his full-time ministry, Charles sought employment in the corporate world as a means of supporting his family of five children. Early in his career, he was employed by The Wall Street Journal as a printer. After moving to Lorain, Ohio, he worked at Elyria Foundry and then Arrow Aluminum. Following a long day’s work, he often could be found sitting and studying the Word of God.
Following the death of his wife, Dale, in February 2007, Charles married Sharon Reagan later that same year. He and Sharon moved to Dunn, North Carolina, to spend their retirement years. Even in his retirement, Bishop Hawes continued to minister in various churches in North Carolina whenever the opportunity arose.
Charles Hawes’ stepson, Joseph Reagan, say his stepfather loved the Lord with all of his heart. “His compassion, love, wisdom and strength touched the lives of everyone he met. He was a humble man, always concerned with the needs of others over his own,” he says. “He loved reading and studying the Word of God and then imparting it to others. He lived his life to serve Christ and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead him to minister to the lives of others. As his brother-in-law Eddie said so eloquently, ‘Charles’s fingerprints were left behind on the lives of everyone he met.’”
Presiding Bishop A. D. Beacham, Jr., remembers Charles Hawes as a gentle follower of Jesus Christ. “He served the IPHC in Pennsylvania with great love and care,” he says. “He reached out with compassion to those struggling in life. It was an honor and joy to serve with him.”
Bishop Charles L. Hawes is survived by his wife of 15 years, Sharon G. Hawes; four daughters: Lorri Bandagski and husband, Joe; Kim Muskiewicz; Dawn Hawes; Robin Allen and husband, David; step-sons Jamey Reagan and wife, Amanda, Joey Reagan and wife, Dan; one sister, Marjorie Gutierrez, and two brothers, Gerald and Ronald. Charles is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dale, son, Charles L. “Chuck” Hawes, Jr., his parents, and two brothers, Elbert and Howard.
Funeral arrangements for Bishop Hawes have been made with Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio 44055. The service is planned for 11 a.m. on Friday, March 17. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst, Ohio. The family has requested that memorial gifts be made to Bethel Chapel, 4065 Broadway Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052.
