Steven C. King

Steven "Steve" C. King, 76, of Newton, Kansas, died on April 8, 2026, at home after a long battle with cancer. He was born on August 18, 1949, in Lakin, Kansas to Rachel King.

Steve graduated from Ulysses High School in 1967. He attended Emporia State College for one year and then attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas where he met his wife, Virginia "Ginger" Base.

Steve married Ginger on September 12, 1970, at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, Kansas.

The couple moved from Ulysses in 1971 to Newton, Kansas. For many years he worked at Hesston Corporation, where he was elected as a union representative for Hesston Corporation Workers Association (HcWA). A highlight of his time with Hesston was a trip to Washington, D.C. where he got to meet with Bob Dole. Later in life, he became a professional cook.

Steve loved cooking for family and friends. He enjoyed meeting new people during his time delivering Newton Meals on Wheels. When he was younger, he was an avid fisherman. He loved to spend time in his backyard garden with flowers and watching the birds visit his many feeders. He even loved the squirrels that often pillaged those same feeders. He enjoyed attending many of his grandchildren’s events and activities.

Steve is survived by his wife, Ginger King of Newton; son, Christopher King (Lynae) of Wichita; daughter, Carrie Claassen (Lance) of Newton; sister, Suzanne Chandley of Hutchinson; sister-in-law, Connie Griswold of Newton; Sharon Musser of Newton; grandchildren, Henry and Ava Claassen, Dani Littlefield, Chloe and Victoria King.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Rachel Applegate; and in-laws, Lee and Iris Base.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church in Newton, with The Reverend Mike Lloyd officiating. A visitation will be held the night prior to the service, Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, and left in the care of the funeral home.