Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
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Attorney Edward W. Rhode Jr. of Naples, FL, formerly of Sandusky, OH passed away peacefully on July 27, 2015.
He was born on November 11, 1918, graduating from Sandusky High School in 1936.
He attended Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH, graduating with a Doctor Juris Prudence degree in June of 1941. He passed the Ohio State Bar Association and was admitted to the practice of Law on August 8, 1941. At this time, he was believed to be the youngest, practicing attorney in the State of Ohio.
He began practicing Law in Sandusky, OH in 1941; however he then entered the United States Army in November 1942, and was honorably discharged in February of 1946 as a Sgt. First Class from the Legal Department of the United States Army, where he had been transferred at the end of World War II.
He began his Law career again in February of 1946, and subsequently formed the Law firm known as "Rhode, Egger, Kirwan & Reno", which was dissolved upon his retirement in 1998 to Naples, Florida. He continued to work with his son, Edward W. Rhode III, on a part time basis until 1997, when he placed his Ohio License on an "inactive" basis.
He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sandusky, OH, where he served on numerous boards and was a member of the Board of Trustees for a long number of years. He was also active in Lutheran Churches in Naples, FL and served as a layman member on the Executive Board of the Ohio Synod of the American Lutheran Church.
During his active legal career, he was a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers, the Erie County Law Library and Law Association, where he was a former President. Upon his return to Law in 1946, he was a Charter Officer of the Sandusky Jaycees and the Amvets. He was a member of several branches of the Masonry, Perseverance Lodge No. 0329 (Sandusky, OH), Scottish Rite (Toledo, OH), Zenobia Temple (Toledo, OH), Shrine (Toledo, OH) and Hi-12 Club (Sandusky, OH). He was also active in many philanthropic and church organizations, which he continued to support up until the time of his death.
He was a member of the Sandusky Yacht Club for over 50 years. For a long number of years he was very active in snow skiing, he helped organize and found the Sandusky Ski Club and then served as its first President.
He had a very long and successful career as a trial lawyer and was widely respected in legal circles throughout north central Ohio.
He is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Donna L. (Grumney) Rhode; his six children, Randolph of Powell, OH, Edward III (Judy) of Sandusky, OH, Michelle (Doug) Stewart of Matthews, NC, Steven of North Olmstead, OH, William of Naples, FL and James Rhode of Sandusky, OH; eight grandchildren, Christine (Sean), Chuck, Blake, Katie, Elizabeth, Mike, Joanne and Eddie; great-granddaughter, Garrette Parsons and numerous nieces, nephews and his dearest dog, Marley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward W. and Ada A. (Murschell) Rhode; sister, Carolyn Fischer; brother, Kenneth; sister in law, Norma Rhode; Reba Rostel, the mother of his four eldest children and his beloved grandson, James Rhode.
He was the patriarch of his family, an avid boater, bridge player, wonderful father and grandfather, and will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, September 19, 2015 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2211 Mills St., Sandusky, OH 44870 with Pastor Merlin Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky, OH. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2211 Mills St. Sandusky, OH 44870 or Stein Hospice Services, 1200 Sycamore Line Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.GroffFuneralHomes.com.
