Shawn David Hawley

Hawley, Shawn

Ann Arbor, MI

His Legacy… Shawn David Hawley, 46, went to be with the Lord on July 7, 2026. He was born on October 16, 1979, in Columbus, Ohio, to John Hawley and Mary (Way) Hawley. 

Shawn graduated from The Columbus Academy in 1998 with high honors. He excelled academically and in athletics, earning numerous awards along the way. Just as important were the friendships he made there. Many of those friends remained close throughout his life, a reflection of the loyalty Shawn gave to the people he cared about.

Shawn went on to the University of Michigan, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Michigan became part of him. He was immensely proud of his education and remained a devoted Wolverine throughout his life.

Shawn met the love of his life, Lisa, at church, dated, and married on September 2, 2011, in Northport, Michigan; they were together for 26 years. Shawn was very proud of the fact that he converted Lisa from an Ohio State Buckeye to a Michigan Wolverine. Much joy was brought to their lives with the birth of their two sons, Caden, and Gavin.

For 23 years, Shawn worked as a Technical Specialist on the Function and Algorithm Team at ZF. He was exceptionally talented at what he did. His sharp mind, curiosity, and ability to solve difficult problems earned him the respect of the people who worked alongside him. Shawn held numerous patents resulting from his work, but his accomplishments only tell part of the story. He loved the challenge of figuring out how things worked, making them better, and solving problems others could not. He was the kind of person colleagues trusted when the answer was not obvious.

Outside of work, Shawn had the same curiosity, humor, and enthusiasm for life. He loved a good round of golf, and the quiet of a day spent fishing. He enjoyed traveling with Lisa and the boys, skiing, dancing, and cooking for the people he loved, especially the homemade pasta he worked to perfect. Shawn had a quick wit and an unmistakable way with words. He could tell a great story, deliver the perfect punchline, and make people laugh when they least expected it.

The heart of Shawn’s life was his family. He adored Lisa and loved being Caden and Gavin’s dad. Coaching baseball, spending time together, and watching his sons grow were among the greatest joys of his life. He was deeply proud of them, believed in them, and loved them beyond measure.

Shawn will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, a gifted engineer, and a man with a brilliant mind and an unforgettable sense of humor. Those who knew him will miss his stories, his perfectly timed jokes, his friendship, and simply having him there.

Shawn accomplished a great deal in his life, but what mattered most to him was never something that could be measured by degrees, patents, or professional success. It was Lisa, Caden, Gavin, his family, and the friends he carried with him through every chapter of his life. That was the life he valued most, and that is the legacy he leaves behind.

His Family… Shawn will be missed by his wife, Lisa Hawley; his children, Caden David (13), Gavin Andrew (11); parents, John and Mary Hawley; aunts, uncles, cousins; and numerous good friends. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Dorothy and George Way; and paternal grandparents, Elizabeth and John Hawley.

His Farewell… Shawn’s Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:00PM, with visitation starting at 10:00AM, at Huron River Methodist Church, Dexter, Michigan. Pastor Matt Hook will serve as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the family for a college fund for Caden and Gavin. https://gofund.me/193feae26 (please see below for link). Please leave a message of comfort for Shawn’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.