Steven C. 'Steve' Hawthorne, 70, Hays, died Monday, February 2, 2026 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.
He was born August 1, 1955 in Little River, Kansas the son of Howard and Georgine (Ginn) Hawthorne. He graduated from Hays High School with the class of 1973 and was Director of Engineering and Technical Services at Cross Manufacturing, Inc. On November 4, 1978 he was united in marriage to Vicki L. Pfannenstiel in Antonino.
Steve loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger years. He loved sitting around the campfire with his family and friends, sharing stories after days of boating and water sports. Steve grew up on the family lake in Little River, Kansas, and he made sure Vicki and his girls spent at least a week every summer, and most weekends, camping and boating. Steve instilled his love of cooking in his daughters and was always trying new techniques and recipes.
Steve was creative with activities for the kids and grandkids to do, like axe throwing in the backyard and turning a stock tank into a pool. He always had glow sticks and popsicles ready to give the grandkids when they would visit. He loved music and dancing and there would be family dance nights with music blasting in the living room.
On July 2, 1976, he started working for Cross Manufacturing, Inc. and was looking forward to celebrating his 50th anniversary this coming July.
Survivors include his wife Vicki of Hays, three daughters Skye Bare (Robert) of Pratt, Erin Kinderknecht (Dr. Benjamin) of Maryville, MO, and Carly Hawthorne (Jesse Stockwell) of Colorado Springs, CO, five grandchildren Natalie Noland (Nick), Shawndra Cook (Jacob), Blake Bare, and Quenton and Isabella Kinderknecht, two great grandchildren Isla Cook and Nevaeh Noland, his mother-in-law Jean Pfannenstiel Rozell of Pittsburg, TX, a brother Lee Hawthorne of Otis, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Wynona Murray, a niece Kathleen Murray, and his father-in-law Lester Pfannenstiel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino with Fr. Job Varghese, OFM Cap. Officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Antonino Cemetery Association or to the Cancer Council of Ellis County. Condolences and memories of Steve may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com