Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
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George L. Mylander, 83, residing in Sandusky, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Providence Care Center.
George was born on September 22, 1932 in Sandusky, OH to the late Lester and Christine (Schade) Mylander.
A native Sanduskian, he was a 1951 graduate of Sandusky High School. Following his service with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, where he received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals. George attended Bowling Green State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in 1958 and subsequently a Master's Degree in Educational Administration in 1970. In 2003, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service from the University.
He retired from the Sandusky City Schools in 1987 after 27 years as a teacher and administrator. After teaching at Campbell School, he went to Sycamore and later Monroe Schools as principal. Upon the retirement of his good friend and mentor, the late Howard Ziemke, he returned to Campbell School as principal, a post he held for 10 years until he retired.
George established the George L. Mylander Scholarship at BGSU Firelands, the George L. Mylander Alumni Laureate Scholarship and the Mylander Foundation Scholarship. Collectively, the three scholarships have aided 157 students in reaching their academic goals. His impact was most prominently felt at the BGSU Firelands campus where funds were directed to student scholarships, a leadership gift to the completion of the Cedar Point Center, development of the McBride Arboretum and most recently, a $1 million leadership gift to the Allied Health and Sciences Project.
For his accomplishments and contributions to the University, Mylander received the BGSU Alumni Community Award and the BGSU Accomplished Graduate Award, both in 1997. He was also named to the BGSU 100 Most Prominent Alumni list in 2010 and received a 50th Anniversary Award from BGSU Firelands in 2015.
George began his efforts for Sandusky in 1968 when he served as president and chairperson of the Sandusky Area Sesquicentennial, celebrating the 150th founding of the City of Sandusky. In 1979, he was elected to the first of four terms on the Sandusky City Commission, serving six of his 16 years as Sandusky's mayor. As a commissioner, he sponsored legislation making the Boy with the Boot the official symbol of the City of Sandusky. In 1988, George sought a seat in the Ohio Senate and was also a candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives in 1992. While unsuccessful in these elections, he maintained a lifelong interest in government and politics.
George served as a director of both Citizens Banking Company from 1965 and its parent company, First Citizens Banc Corp since its formation in 1987 until his retirement from the boards in 2006. He held the position of director emeritus since 2006. George played an integral part in the growth of the company from one office and $30,000,000 in assets in 1965 to one of the largest bank holding companies in Ohio with 21 offices and $740,000,000 in assets at the time of his retirement.
In 1963, he began what had become nearly 40 years of participation with the Sandusky community hospitals with the election to the Board of Trustees of Sandusky Memorial Hospital, an institution that his late father, Lester R. Mylander, D.O., helped found in 1933. In 1985, after serving as Chair of the Memorial Board for ten years, he helped lead the hospital in merging with Good Samaritan Hospital to establish Firelands Community Hospital. Likewise, while chairing the Firelands Board, he worked with a committee that saw the successful association of Providence Hospital with Firelands Community Hospital in 2001 to create one hospital, Firelands Regional Medical Center. In 1999, he received the Roderick J. Smith Hospital Trustee Award as the top American Osteopathic Hospital Healthcare Association Trustee in the United States. In 2002, he received the Meritorious Service Award from the Ohio Osteopathic Association and in 2006 received the Donald Newkirk Award, the highest recognition given by the Ohio Hospital Association for his significant lifetime contributions to health care in Ohio and his leadership to Firelands. He was Chair Emeritus of the Firelands Regional Medical Center at the time of his passing.
George was active in veteran affairs and was a life member of the American Legion Post 83. In 1988, he headed the Ohio Veterans Home Centennial Celebration. Since the creation of the Erie County Veterans Memorial Park in 1986, he served as Chair of the Park Committee. For over 20 years he acted as master of ceremonies for the Memorial Day observance sponsored by the Park Committee. For service to his country and community, he was enshrined in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 1999.
Grace Episcopal Church meant much to him. A lifelong member, as a youth he was a choir member and acolyte. Later he was elected to the Vestry from time to time and served on the Vestry over 20 years. He was also Junior and Senior Warden and in 1985 was chair of Grace's year long Sesquicentennial Celebration. in 1997, he was part of the ecumenical group of Christians to visit Israel and the Holy Land.
For 15 years he served on the Foundation Board of Bowling Green State University, retiring in 2006, and was Chair from 2002-2004. It was during this period that a campaign was launched and well over 100 million dollars pledged. He continued to work on the BGSU National Campaign Steering Committee until his death.
He was Vice-President and former President of the Erie County Historical Society, Board Member of the Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation and Stein Hospice; Vice Chair of the Erie County Board of Health; Board Member and former President of the United Way of Erie County and President of the Wightman-Wieber Foundation. George was a member of the Advisory and Development Boards of BGSU Firelands College; Kiwanis Club of Sandusky and was an Honorary Life Member and Chair of the Erie County Chamber of Commerce, having served on the Legislative Committee and receiving special recognition in 1969 and the 1989 Community Service Award.
Throughout his distinguished career, George was also recognized with numerous awards, including; 1966 Sandusky Jaycees Outstanding Young Citizen; 1982 Distinguished Service Awards; 1985 Sandusky Safety Council Above and Beyond Award; 1986 Exchange Club of Sandusky Book of Golden Deeds Award; 1987 Sandusky Register's Community Service Award; 1999 20th Century Leader Award and in 1996 received the Sandusky Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow. In 1996, he was recognized as the American Red Cross Volunteer Fund Raiser of the Year and received the 1997 Untied Church Homes Ben M. Herbster Award. George was awarded as the 1998 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.
In order to accommodate all who wish to pay their last respects to George, two public events are scheduled in Sandusky.
Friends may call on Friday, January 15, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Sandusky High School Auditorium, 2130 Hayes Ave., Sandusky. At 3:30 pm there will be a service of remembrance held with prayers and national songs to give thanks to George’s life and many contributions to our common life. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky with Rev. Jan Smith Wood presiding.
Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Schade-Mylander Mausoleum in Oakland Cemetery. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to George's memory may do so to Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky, OH 44870.
Online condolences may be shared at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
