Stephen Jay Gallion

Stephen Jay Gallion, 81, of Wellington, died Monday, April 13, 2026, at Mercy Lorain Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born on August 13, 1944, in Huntington, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Jay and Lucy (nee Bowling) Gallion. Steve was born while his father was away during World War II. However, thanks to a photo his mother showed him daily, his father was greeted with shouts of “Daddy” upon his arrival home. When he was 5, his family moved to Oberlin where Steve grew up and graduated from Oberlin High School in 1962. Ten years later he made his home in Wellington.

Steve proudly served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967 in the Signal Corps, stationed in Panama. Following his service, he began working for the phone company in Oberlin, traveling all over the area, servicing the mechanical switchboards and later the computer controls. He retired from Frontier in 2005. Steve also worked with his father doing residential electrical work and substituted at the Lorain County JVS in the adult electrical department.

A devoted longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Wellington, Steve was a trustee and sang in the choir. In the 80’s, he served as scout master in Wellington Cub Scout Pack 440. Steve enjoyed singing in the community choir and bowling in a bowling league. A passion of Steve’s was building and collecting model cars and planes; he would meticulously study them, taking trips to the Air Force Museum in Dayton just to make sure his recreations were accurate. He was also an avid reader, especially in the subject of history and military aviation. Most of all, he loved his grandkids and found great enjoyment watching them play sports. His favorite candy bar was a Payday, and he had one whenever he could.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Alice (nee Hootman) Gallion; children, Beth Feliciano, of Wellington, Christopher (Deanna) Gallion, of Oberlin, Amy Gardner, of Lagrange, and Tim (Angel) Gallion, of Wellington; grandchildren, Wyatt, James, Ally, Alexa and Shelby and his brothers, Don (Nancy) Gallion and Dale (Judy) Gallion. In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Bill Feliciano, and niece, Lydia Newell.

Friends and family will be received on Saturday, April 18, from 2 pm until the 3 pm Memorial Service at the First Baptist Church of Wellington, 125 Grand Avenue. A private graveside service will take place at Pittsfield Cemetery. Donations in memory of Steve can be directed to the First Baptist Church of Wellington. Fond memories and condolences for the Gallion family can be given at: www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.