Joel Hawley

July 31, 1949 – April 17, 2025

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21

But just think of stepping on shore
And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand
And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air
And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory
And finding it home!
-Don Wyrtzen

Joel Hawley, 75, of Markdale, ON, died April 17, 2025 at home surrounded by his family. Born on July 31, 1949, in North Kingstown, RI, he was a man of deep Christian faith and service to others.

Joel graduated from Eastern College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and later from Moody Bible Institute’s Advanced Studies Program and Baptist Bible Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Ministry. He was always learning and researching topics that interested him whether it was in the agricultural field or the study of the Bible.

He worked many jobs over his career, but found the most satisfaction in working with Christian agricultural and community development in Haiti and Costa Rica.

In Joel’s retirement, he was an avid gardener and was always happy to share produce from his garden with family and friends.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents William and Lillian Hawley.

Joel is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Carol, his children Kendra, Elissa, Janelle, Jonathan (Melanie), Daniel (Sarahann), and Catrina (Andrew), his grandchildren Annamaria, Beth, Josiah, Silas, Emerson, and Uriah. He is also survived by his siblings Dennis (Carol) and Luanne as well as many loved extended family members.

Joel left a message to share with his family and friends at the time of his death and translation into the presence of his Saviour and LORD Jesus, The King. He urges us to “here and now consider where we place our personal faith. Is our faith in ourselves, or in other people, or in our things, or in what we think we have been able to accomplish by our own efforts? Jesus told us in John 14:6, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ So, I ask you to recognize that Jesus said here that not one of us can get to the Father who is in Heaven by our own works or possessions. I ask each of us, have we personally come to Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, and let His sacrificial death on the Cross and the shedding of His innocent Blood do for us what we cannot do for ourselves?”

Memorials or donations may be made to The Institute for Creation Research (https://www.icr.org/donate), Intercede International (https://www.intercedenow.ca), or an organization that distributes Bibles.

A private service to be held.

Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services, greybrucecremation.com.