Jonah David Galvan was born on October 30, 1980 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Jose “David” Galvan and Jan Marie Steinmetz. He left us far too soon on January 15, 2015 in Orem, UT from causes related to an enlarged heart. It’s ironic, because Jonah always had the biggest heart.
He was raised in Twin Falls by his father with the help of Jonah’s grandparents. Jonah had a very special bond with his Grandma Galvan, and even called her his “Ama” because she was like a mother to him, and she was always very dear to his heart. Jonah grew up with his two sisters, Cara and Miranda, and his four brothers, Jerrod, Jesse, Kelly, and Joseph, each of whom he adored. Jonah was very athletic from a young age, and he loved to play sports and watch his dad and uncles play baseball at Harmon Park. Throughout his school years, Jonah wrestled and played basketball, football, and baseball. As he grew older, he developed a love for power lifting and he competed in many meets. He spent some of his high school years with his mother and brother, Jesse, in Wisconsin and Minnesota where he graduated high school and set a state record in the 17-18 year old division for bench pressing 385 pounds. His record stood for seven years before it was broken.
After high school, Jonah moved to Idaho Falls with his brother Jesse. Jonah worked for the Idaho Falls Street Department on the maintenance crew. Jonah returned to Twin Falls where he worked out of Jerome for the Idaho Transportation Department as a Transportation Technician. At the time of his passing he was a press operator in the screen printing industry. Of all of his occupations, Jonah loved driving the snow plows the best. It reminded him of when he would ride along with his dad while he plowed when Jonah was a kid. Jonah had such strong admiration and respect for his father.
Jonah fathered a daughter, Mariah, with Jessica Ballard of Idaho Falls in March 2005. In 2009, life’s circumstances brought Jonah to Salt Lake City, Utah area, where his mother now lives. He met and fell in love with Eliza Preston. Eliza has two daughters from a previous marriage, Amara and Lauren Preston. Jonah and Mariah began a life with Eliza and her daughters, and their blended family later became complete with the addition of their daughter, Ava Galvan, who was born in August 2014; he used to joke and say, “even my dog is a girl”.
Jonah was a formidable man in stature, but was a truly loveable and kind spirit whom people loved to be around. He treated strangers like friends, and friends like family. Jonah was especially good with the youth, being forever young at heart himself. His beautiful spirit and infectious smile is forever impressed into the hearts and minds of all who’ve known him. Jonah is our beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend and will forever be missed. Our memories of him will always be cherished. Rest in peace with the angels, until we meet again.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents George and Maria Galvan, Patricia Fueschel and Chuck Steinmetz. He is also preceded in death by many cousins, uncles, and an aunt, all of whom Jonah loved and cared for dearly.
Jonah is survived by his wife Eliza and their daughters, Amara, Lauren, Mariah, and Ava. His father David Galvan and his step-mother Penny Galvan. His mother Jan Edgington and step-father Randy Edgington. His sisters Cara (Ron) Jones, Miranda (Ryan) Stimpson, and step-sister Emily Edgington. His brothers Jerrod Featherston, Jesse Galvan, Kelly Galvan, Joseph Galvan, and Steven (Erica) Hopkins, and step-brother Destin Edgington.
A Rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Rosenau Funeral Home in Twin Falls. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Jerome with a reception to follow at El Sombrero. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com