Virginia Belich Hawkins

Virginia Buhler Belich Hawkins, at age 94, joyfully went home to her Heavenly Father and to join her eternal companion on October 15, 2016. She is survived by her son and daughter, 8 grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Services will be held October 21, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State Street, Midvale, Utah. Viewing will be from 1200 noon to 12:45 p.m. prior to service. Interment will be in the Midvale City Cemetery.

Virginia was born January 19, 1922 to Jesse Joseph and Iris Kunz Buhler in Bern, Idaho on a night the temperature was 45 degrees below zero. Her feet were never warm from that day forward. She and her family moved to Midvale, Utah shortly after her birth. She graduated from Jordan High School and was proud to be a "Beet Digger." Virginia was very industrious having many jobs as a young woman to help with the family budget.

She married Melvin Joseph Belich on July 23, 1943, their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS temple on February 10, 1944. They were blessed with 3 children, Susan Kaye (Chesser), Tom Belich, and Karma Jo (Mathews). Mel and Virginia started their life together in Midvale living in a small house provided by Mel's employer (United States Smelting). They moved to Kearns after 10 years and when the Midvale Smelter closed they moved to Tooele, Utah. Virginia went to work at the Tooele Army Depot so her children could attend college. She received many service awards and accolades for her superior performance. After Melvin's passing she married Max Hawkins. They enjoyed each other's companionship for 19 years.

Virginia was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints serving in many capacities, including Junior Sunday School Coordinator, Primary Teacher and Young Woman leader.

In her later years, Virginia was an avid reader, reading up to the last days of her life, answered and sent e-mails, participated in Facebook and played games on the computer. She enjoyed having family around her and was very proud of all of them.

She is survived by her brother Joseph Buhler, Midvale, UT, son Tom Belich, Mt. Shasta, CA, daughter Karma (Belich) Mathews, sons-in-law Dean Mathews, St. George, UT, Larry Chesser, Salmon, ID. grandchildren Nicole (Belich) Scrubbs, Peter Belich, Broc Mathews, Monika (Mathews) Pierce, RJ Mathews, Britny (Mathews) Hall, Marci (Chesser) Hall, Valorie (Chesser) Hall, plus spouses, and 21 great grandchildren all of whom love and adore Virginia. Preceding her in death are: her eternal companion, Melvin Belich, daughter Susan (Belich) Chesser, parents Jesse and Iris Buhler, sisters Betty (Buhler) Yuhas, Marjean (Buhler) Jacobson, brothers Roscoe Buhler, Melvin Buhler and second husband Max Hawkins.