Florence "Babe" Kokos

Florence A. “Babe” Kokos, 92 of Joy, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at OSF St. Francis Hospital, Peoria. Memorial services will be Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Speer Funeral Home at 11:00 AM. Private family burial will be in Oquawka Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family.

Florence Ann was born on December 11, 1932, in Oakville, Iowa to Burr & Laura (Strawhacker) Hawkins. She married Dean Kokos in 1974 in Oquawka. He preceded her in death.

Babe was a devoted Homemaker after working for several years at John Deere Plow & Planter. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and especially baking. Her family enjoyed her Christmas dinners and especially all the goodies she made. Babe shared her talents with her quilting and playing a mean game of Dice. She loved watching the Denver Broncos and her favorite Iowa Hawkeyes. In later years, she enjoyed going on car rides to the river and watching the bald eagles and special trips to Red Lobster.

Babe is survived by her children: Kenny Lee of Joy, IL; Pamela & Mike Diveney of Muscatine; Jim & Tonya Kokos of Monmouth; and Marilyn Staley of Aledo; a brother, Lester “Buck” Hawkins of Wapello and numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and siblings: Bertha, Mary Ann, Gene and Bill.