Steven Wayne McCracken

Born in Galion on July 9, 1952, he was the son of the late Margie (Hobbs) and Ward McCracken. Steve grew up in the east end of town with an older brother and sister and lots of neighbor boys to help him organize ballgames of every kind. He loved to explore the woods and catch tadpoles in the creek behind Dawsett Elementary School.

At ten years of age, his family moved to the south end of town where he attended Wilma Crall School. His love for playing ball continued from Little League all through high school where he was also a member of the Galion High School football team and the Class of 1970.

As a young man, Steve’s work career began at Perfection-Cobey of Galion and also included positions with Urban Industries and Gledhill Lumber Company. Delivering building materials all over Ohio afforded him the opportunity to make many friends along the way. Steve served three years in the 1980’s with the U. S. Army as a military police officer, stationed the majority of time in Kansas.

Eventually, he made Manhattan, Kansas his permanent home for many years where he owned and operated a family restaurant. After relocating back to Galion, his love of cooking and baking expanded as he grew older. Breads, cookies, pies, and specially created birthday cakes for his granddaughter were his specialties. He always gave away more than he kept, often gifting others with unexpected treats all year long. Growing and canning his own vegetables, visiting Amish country, and spending time with his black lab occupied his days, but his greatest pastime was fishing. He was an expert and had the photos as proof of the “big ones that DIDN’T get away.” It was not unusual to find him at Powers’ Reservoir in Galion from sunrise to sunset, rain or shine, catching fish daily to clean and freeze for the purpose of hosting fish fries for his family.

In 2007, Steve was challenged with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer and later, lung and mouth cancer. After several surgeries, chemo and radiation treatments, and lifelong living adjustments, Steve courageously survived all three and, until recently, lived independently with his faithful dog Spooky.

Steve was preceded in loss by his brother David and his son Andrew. He is survived by his daughter Amy (Chris) Tyree, a sister Marsha (Glenn) Cheesman, of Galion, a granddaughter Makayla Tyree of Mansfield, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

At his request, no services will be held at this time. A memorial service is planned for a later date. The family requests that donations be made in Steve McCracken’s memory to Lowe-Volk Nature Park, 2401 State Route 598, Crestline, Ohio 44827. The Wappner Cremation Center, Mansfield Ohio, is proud to have served the family of Steven McCracken.