Lt. Col. Linley C. Hawthorne

Len, 76, of Navarre, Ohio, passed away on October 28, 2023. He was born on May 28, 1947, in Canton, Ohio, to William and Mary Lou (Dreher) Hawthorne.

He graduated from Canton South High School in 1965; Len served his country honorably in the United States Army for over 26 years.  He was highly decorated, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Legion of Merit, to name a few. After retiring from the Army, he went on to retire from the US Postal Service.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Lynnette (Donald) Kennedy and Darya Hawthorne; grandchildren, Zackary (Jessica) Kennedy and Lindsey (Trenton Tusing) Kennedy; brothers, Glenn “Sam” Hawthorne, Patrick (Cindy) Hawthorne; his French daughter Valerie (Pierre-Francois) Joutel, and many “adopted” grandkids.

Len was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Doris (Warren) Hawthorne; his parents, brothers, Danny and Dennis; and sisters, Linda Budd, Roseann Mitchell, and Denise Weiser-Hatfield.

Len “Papa” was a devoted family man. He was a staple at his grandkids’ school functions and cheered them on in life. He also loved fishing, playing golf, traveling with his family, and playing cards.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 2, 2023, 6-8 p.m., and Friday, 1 hour prior to the service, 10-11 a.m., in the Kreighbaum Sanders Funeral Home. The funeral service will be on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Jeff Franks officiating. Len will be laid to rest in Sunset Hills Memory Garden with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project in his name.

Services are entrusted to the Kreighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home, 4041 Cleveland Ave, Canton, Ohio 44707.