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
Melvyn J. Stauffer, Esq., 91, residing in Sandusky, passed away March 17, 2018 following a brief illness.
Mel was born in Brookville, Ohio to Melvin J. and Ruth (Pearson) Stauffer.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 and graduated from The University of Michigan Law School in 1951. He practiced law in Sandusky with the firm of Flynn, Py and Kruse for 66 years, retiring at the age of 90. In 1964, he argued Teamsters Union v Morton before the United States Supreme Court. For the past 25 years, his practice was focused on working with private foundations, nonprofit organizations, and on issues surrounding hospital governance.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Mary P. Stauffer; sisters Evalou Middaugh and Gloria Shiffler, and brother Bill (Martha); children, Mary Jane (Frank) Hill of Berlin Heights, Elizabeth (Robert) Aumann of Cincinnati, Martha (Dennis) Murray of Sandusky, John (Ann) Stauffer of Huron and Ann (David) Binzer of Liberty Township, along with fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He enjoyed travelling, especially to Hilton Head Island, spending time on Lake Erie with his family, and golfing at Plum Brook Country Club.
In 1965, Mel led a group of interested citizens to create the Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus, serving as chair of the Committee for Educational Development. In 2011, he was awarded the Firelands Community Service Award for nearly 50 years of leadership and contributions to the many successes of the BGSU Firelands Campus.
Beginning in 1985, Mel was the architect of a strategic merger that combined Providence Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital and Sandusky Memorial Hospital into the Firelands Regional Medical Center. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for 44 years.
Mel was instrumental in the establishment of Stein Hospice Service, Inc., which provides both outpatient and inpatient hospice care in a multi-county area.
In 1995, Mel helped establish the Erie County Community Foundation which provides grants to non-profits for local projects, programs, services and initiatives. He was the current President of the Randolph J. and Estelle M. Dorn Foundation, having served as a trustee of that Foundation for many years.
Over his long and successful career of contributing to his community, he was also involved in the YMCA, the local music and arts scene, and was long active in the Sandusky Jaycees, Sandusky Rotary and the Sandusky Lions Club. He was also an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, serving on its Vestry for many years.
In 2017, Mel was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in recognition of his many life-long and long-lived contributions to his community.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Those wishing to contribute to his memory may do so to the Erie County Community Foundation, 135 East Washington Row, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St. Sandusky, OH 44870, or to one's favorite charity.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
