Floyd G Stephens

Floyd G. Stephens, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 22, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Floyd was born March 2, 1936 in Republic, PA to Charles D. and Stella Glassburn Stephens. He grew up in Beallsville, PA, graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1954. Floyd and his mother then moved to Austintown, OH in 1954 to be near their family. Floyd had two things in his life that he loved with a passion his family and his aviation career. These two passions shaped the rest of his life. He was married to the former Nancy Felger on November, 19, 1960, and the two shared a wonderful 54 year adventure together. They raised three children and he participated in numerous clubs and activities with them. As a family, they often traveled to the beach which Floyd loved very much. Floyd cherished his family and was very proud of them. The other passion in his life was his long aviation career. While serving his country as a member of the Air Force Reserves at the Vienna Air Force Base, he started his career as a Flight Instructor and a pilot for Beckett Aviation at the Youngstown Municipal Airport. In December of 1966 he became a pilot for Allegheny Airlines, which became USAir in 1978, and enjoyed a spotless 29 year career retiring in 1995. Floyd loved flying and often recalled his many flying adventures with stories that he told his wife, children, and grandchildren. He passed on his love of aviation to his family as well by teaching each one of them to fly. Floyd was a Christian, and his church was an important part of his life. He even met his wife at the church they were attending. He was a member of the West Austintown First United Methodist Church. Over the years, he served his church on many committees and as Sunday School Superintendent. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents and siblings George, Larry, Gordon, and Donna. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, and their three children, Charles (Holly) of Austintown, Laura (Robert) Ward of Canfield, and Gregory (Sheri) of Temple, TX. He is also survived by his sister, Lorraine Riskey of Austintown, Ohio. The family also includes seven grandchildren Sarah Whitten, Charlie Stephens, Lauren, Hayley, and Ian Ward, and Sadie and Abigail Stephens. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 26th at 11:00am at West Austintown First United Methodist Church. Friends and family may call on Wednesday, March 25th from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, and one hour prior to services on Thursday at the church. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of St. Elizabeth's Hospital SICU for their kind and compassionate care of Floyd. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the West Austintown First United Methodist Church, 6749 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44515.