Dr. Peter Stephen Novack died Wednesday February 4, 2026 at Ohio State University Hospital. Steve was born October 27, 1956 to Peter and Helen (Miller) Novack, and was the proud grandson of Ukrainian immigrants, John and Anna Novack. He was raised in the mountains of Georgia with his sisters Barbara, Lisa, and Melanie. He attended Lee College and medical school at Oklahoma State University, and later received his Master’s in Healthcare Delivery from Dartmouth. Following medical school, he served in the U. S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Gulf War, where he was stationed in Saudi Arabia.
In Galion, he teamed up with Dr. Daryl Sander to provide 24hr on call surgical coverage for Galion and Bucyrus hospitals for many years. He then found his passion battling the opioid epidemic, first as Galion Health Department Medical Director, then as an addiction medicine specialist for Avita Hosptital.
He has been described as a Renaissance man; loving to paint, play music, read Catholic philosophy, bake sourdough bread, ski, sail, and work on his farm. Most of all, however, he loved to talk- to anyone, anywhere, about anything.
He is survived by his wife Melany of 35 years; his children Elizabeth, Steve Jr. (Samu), Sarah, Michael (Julianne), Catherine, Maddy (Nick), and Hannah; his grandchildren Eddie (Rachel), Victor (Kaylee), Anya, Rea, and Ella; and great-granddaughter Hadley.
This prayer from Mass was very important to him, “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.”
In lieu of flowers, please send donation to Avita Health Foundation: Attention Dr. Stephen Novack Innovation Fund 269 Portland Way South Galion, Ohio 44833
The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday February 8, 2026 at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 9, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 135 N. Liberty St. Galion, Ohio 44833 with Reverend Paul Fahrbach officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Dr. Peter Stephen Novack, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home Richardson Davis Chapel
Website: snyderfuneralhomes.com