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
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Melvin (Mel) Allen Saferstein
March 12, 1939 - April 27, 2022
Mel, residing in Huron, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at home with his loving wife comforting him. The path of Alzheimer can be long and dark. Mel traveled that path over six years; he is now at peace.
He was born March 12, 1939, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to the late Dr. T. Harry and Ann (Aronson) Saferstein.
Mel graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph and graduated with Undergraduate, Masters and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and the KU alumni associations for over 50 years and kept in touch with several Jayhawk classmates. Mel was a 50-year plus member of both the Missouri Bar Association and the Ohio Bar Association. In addition, he was licensed to practice before the US Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, the US District Court, Northern District of Ohio and the Supreme Court of Ohio. He practiced criminal law briefly in St. Joseph, prior to relocating to Ohio in 1967.
In Ohio, Mel passed the Ohio Bar then held management positions with Ralston Purina and Chef's Pantry before resuming his legal practice; Prior to retirement in 2017, he had been associated for many years with Smith & Lehrer Law Firm, Sandusky.
Mel was active in many professional and civic organizations which he continued to support even as his illness progressed. He was a member of Temple Oheb Shalom in Sandusky and had served as President, Board Member and Legal Counsel. Mel was a long-term member of the Erie County Bar Association, the Erie County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Sandusky Safety Council, Firelands Audubon Society Board Member, Erie County Board of Elections, Erie County Law Library and member of the Sandusky Yacht Club serving as past legal counsel. In addition, Mel had been a 50-year plus member of several branches of Masonry; Zeredatha Lodge of Masons, St. Joseph; 32nd degree Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus, and the Aladdin Shriners.
Mel and Brenda enjoyed traveling seeing new sites and visiting with distant family and friends, especially first-cousin reunions in Kansas City. He also loved sailing on Lake Erie, watching Kansas Jayhawk basketball, working in the yard, long walks with his wife, and spending time with family. In past years, Mel had been an avid runner in many regional races as well as marathons in Columbus and Cleveland. As his health declined, he enjoyed his furry friends Cuddles and Buddy, watching backyard wildlife and listening to music. He was a pleasant, thoughtful man with a positive attitude who treated everyone with kindness and respect.
Mel is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Brenda (Womeldorf) Saferstein, whom he married on May 27, 1968. He is also survived by his sister, Roberta (Saferstein) and her husband, Morton Goren of Washington, DC; sisters-in-law, Alyce Ousley of Wellston, OH and Sandra Womeldorf of Hamden, OH; nieces, Renee Timms, Jill Watters and Rachel Goren; nephews, Todd Goren, Reuven Goren, Jonathan Womeldorf, Rueben Ousley and Lawrence Ousley and great nieces, great nephews and cousins he loved dearly.
In addition to his parents, Mel is preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Jim Ousley and Winston Womeldorf and in-laws, Sam and Edith Womeldorf.
Friends may call on Sunday, May 1, 2022 from 10:00 am until the time of funeral services at 11:30 am at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Cantor Laurel Barr will officiate. Burial will take place in Hamden Cemetery, Hamden, OH.
Those wishing to contribute to Mel's memory may do so to the Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior St., Sandusky, OH 44870 or Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.
A special thank you from the family to Stein Hospice, Caregiver Fran Greer, and special niece Jill Watters for their loving care and kindness.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
