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
Edward "Lou" P. Grathwol, 87, residing in Sandusky, passed away early Sunday morning, July 25, 2021 at Ohio Veteran's Home.
Lou was born on November 19, 1933 in Sandusky, OH to the late Irvin J. and Veronica A. (Hamburger) Grathwol.
Lou graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1951. He was a 1973 graduate and part time faculty member of Lorain Community College and received his Bachelor in 1975 from Heidelberg College. He was a Veteran of the US Army who proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict from 1954 to 1956. Following the service, he joined the Sandusky Police Department in 1956. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1967, and quickly promoted to Captain in 1969. Lou worked in all areas of the department and was chief of detectives at the time of his retirement in 1986. Lou organized the first regional undercover Narcotic Agency in 1973, and was the department's first full-time narcotics officer. In retirement, he worked as a private investigator and director of E.P.G Security, Inc., a security guard provider, which he founded in 1979 and operated until her retired in 1995.
Lou was a life time member of St. Mary's Parish, Knights of Columbus, Elk's Club and the Fraternal Order of Police. Lou was a member of the American Legion Post 83, Huron Eagles, AMVETS Post 17, YMCA Senior Fellowship Club, Elk's Golf League, Woussickett Monday Senior Golf League, where he was secretary for 22 years, member and secretary for 15 years of the Wednesday Traveling Golf League.
Lou served on the St. Mary's Elementary School Board, was past chairman of it's high school athletic commission and a member and past board member of the Booster Club. He first became involved with coaching at St. Mary's when he helped with the 8th grade in 1951. He had served as a volunteer coach in football and basketball at the junior high levels, and most recently as a coach and statistician with the Varsity wrestling program from 1995 to 2014.
Lou is survived by his daughter, Susan (Mark) White of Sandusky; son, Kyle Grathwol of Sandusky; grandchildren, Jennifer (Robb) Stutzman, Michael (Sophie) Grathwol, Nicholas (Emily) Hohler and Abigail Hohler; great-grandchildren, Lillian and Ruby Thompson, Noah, Heidi and Sadie Stutzman, Brody and Delaney Hohler and Clare, Patrick and Mary Grathwol; brother, James Grathwol of Sandusky; sister-in-law, Amelia Hunt and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In addition to his parents, Lou is preceded in death by his wife, J. Mary (Capicchioni) Grathwol on December 21, 2016; brothers, Robert and John Grathwol; sisters-in-law, Margaret Capicchioni, Marlene Grathwol and Mary Ann Grathwol and brothers-in-law, Paul Hunt and Frank Capicchioni.
Friends may call on Sunday, August 1, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. The FOP Lodge #17 will conduct memorial services at 4:30 pm. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home at 9:30 on Monday, August 2, 2021 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky. Monsignor Charles Singler will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky with the American Legion Post 83 conducting military honors.
Those wishing to contribute to Lou's memory may do so to CCAB, 410 W. Jefferson St., Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
