Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Donald Boory Maddrell, 92, residing at 2215 Westwind Drive, Sandusky, passed away peacefully, Monday afternoon, April 8, 2013 in his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born July 22, 1920 in Canton, Ohio to the late Paul William Maddrell and Gladys Boory Maddrell of Minerva, Ohio, where he subsequently lived for the next 18 years.
He then attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland where he received BA, LLB and JD degrees. He was social chairman of Phi Gamma Delta, and house manager of Delta Theta Phi, his legal fraternity.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 in the European Theater of Operations, moving through France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, entering Berlin with the 1st Allied Airborne Army as Sergeant Major of an Engineer Combat Group. He was honorably discharged with numerous honors in 1946.
A man of quick wit, incisive intelligence and legendary vocabulary, he was a noted storyteller and raconteur who loved to "hold court" with his friends. He was a child prodigy as a jazz musician, performing professionally on alto, tenor and soprano saxophones from the age of 14. He loved a good game of gin rummy, as well as golf, shooting, fishing and boating. In the summer of 1955 he single-handedly saved seven people from a burning boat on Lake Erie, and then went back to put out the fire. For this he was awarded the prestigious Bronze Plaque from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Don practiced law in Cleveland for eight years, then came to Sandusky in 1961 and founded the firm Tone, Maddrell and Eastman, from which he retired in 1986.
His memberships have included the American Bar Association, Cleveland Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association (President and Trustee), American Judicative Society, Pine Ridge Country Club - Cleveland, Royal Palm Country Club - Naples, Plum Brook Country Club - Sandusky, Huron Yacht Club, Gravel Bar Yacht Club (Founder and Secretary), Sandusky Yacht Club (Commodore and Trustee), U.S. Power Squadron, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (Life Member), and Erie County Conservation League (Life Member).
Including his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Jane C. (Fritz) Maddrell and a beloved grandson, Christopher McCoy.
He is survived by his son, Paul (Carla) Maddrell of Cape Elizabeth, ME; daughters, Betsy (David) McCoy of Hilton Head Island, SC and Mary Gail (John) Betz of Fitchburg, WI; grandson, Fitz Maddrell; granddaughter, Katherine Bonnel; and cousin John Maddrell.
After the death of his wife in 2007, he was brought much comfort and companionship by Heather D'Or and her wonderful daughter Jayne, as well as his neighbors and best friends, Kathy and Bob Strayer.
Friends may call Friday, April 12, 2013 from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Pastor John Mawhirter will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions in Donald's name may be directed to Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.
