Griffin Francis Fairchild

Griffin Francis Fairchild, 92 of Champion died peacefully early Saturday morning, November 22, 2014, in Alliance, OH. Griffin was born January 8, 1922 in Warren, the son of the late Noah and Elsie (Camp) Fairchild. He attended Southington High School until the 10th grade, where he then left high school to help on the family farm. Griffin, married the love of his life Lucille J. (Finlaw) Fairchild, on August 29, 1942, and after only being married to his "honey" for 6 short weeks, he was drafted for WWII with the Army. He served with the 863rd Engineering Aviation Battalion. Griffin was Foreman in construction of airstrips, runways and portable buildings. He worked from blueprints; he assigned men duties and supervised their work. He was stationed mainly in SW Pacific area. Griffin received Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with1 Bronze Star; Good conduct ribbon; Meritorious Unit Badge; and WWII Victory Medal. On his down time with the Army, Griffin took up boxing, competing in the ring with his fellow Army soldiers. After his four year enlistment was up, Griffin returned home. He worked as a supervisor of maintenance for Van Huffel Tube Corporation, where he installed wiring systems, maintained and repaired plant electrical system, he retired after 37 years. Griffin was an avid member of the church, helping run the church's youth group, as well as taking care of the church maintenance for many years. He volunteered at Champion Fire Department. He loved gardening and traveling with his wife to Florida. Joking around and playing cards at home with his friends and family, were some of Griffins favorite things. He will be sadly missed by his daughter Linda (Larry) Stepanic of Champion, grandchildren, Gregory (Amber) Stepanic of Euclid, Julianne (Ted) Lombardi of Champion, great grandson Keith Stepanic of Champion, three brothers Warren (Grace) Fairchild of Winston-Salem, NC, Gerald (Beverly) Fairchild of Niles, two sisters, Patricia Gilbert of Warren, Ella Marie (Authur) Brockway of Champion, and several loved nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Griffin was preceded in death by his wife Lucille, four brothers, Noah Fairchild, Gene Fairchild, Glenn Fairchild, and Fredrick Fairchild, three sisters, Henrietta Housel, Bettie Culver and Marijane Mansfield. Funeral services will be held Wednesday November 26, 2014 at 11am at Champion Presbyterian Church 4997 Mahoning Ave NW Warren, OH 44483, with calling hour 1 hour prior to funeral service. Friends and family can gather Tuesday November 25, 2014 from 4-6pm at Lane Family Funeral Homes Robert Clark Chapel, 180 Garfield St NW Warren OH. Family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions can be given to Crossroads Hospice of NE Ohio, 3743 Boettler Oaks Drive Suite E Greene, Ohio 44685