04/15/2020

Obituary for Leon J. Groff

Funeral Director and Owner, Husband of Ann Strickfaden Groff, Father of Kara Groff Mesenburg, all of Groff Funeral Homes and Crematory

Leon J. Groff, 68, residing in Sandusky, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, April 14, 2020 at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

Leon was born on July 19, 1951 in Sandusky, OH to the late F. Leo and Madelyn (Raab) Groff.

Leon graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1969. He attended Bowling Green State University Firelands and received his associate degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1972, where he graduated Cum Laude. He joined his father, Leo, as a funeral director and embalmer at the Frey-Groff Funeral Home on Washington Street. He built the new Groff Funeral Home on Perkins Avenue, and it opened February 1, 1987. He continued expanding his funeral home business over the years and most recently into the Milan and Huron communities. Leon’s dedication and commitment to serving the families in our community led him to developing Meadow Green Memorial Park in 1989, opening The Remembrance Center & Gift Gallery in 2001, and opening Groff Pet Loss Services in 2010.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Sandusky Elks Lodge #285 (golf league for 36 years), Knights of Columbus, Erie County Conservation League, NRA, Aircraft Owner & Pilots Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Embalmers Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Sandusky Exchange Club, Lyman Boat Owner Association, United States Power Squadron, Plum Brook Country Club, Sandusky Yacht Club and the Catawba Island Club. In 1990 he was appointed to the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors of Ohio and served both as secretary and president during his term until 1995. He was a past member and president of the St. Mary’s Elementary School Advisory Council, member of St. Mary’s Church Finance Committee, serving as vice-president, past member of St. Mary’s Church Council, past board member and president of Cancer Services of Erie County, past member of the former Providence Hospital – Board of Trustees, Providence Fund and Chair of the Ethics Committee, and past board member of the Sandusky State Theatre.

Leon is survived by his wife, Ann Strickfaden Groff, whom he married on June 24, 1982. He is also survived by his children, Kelly R. Groff, Kara (Josh) Groff Mesenburg and Ashton L. Groff; grandchildren, Macie, Drew and Jace; sisters, Patricia Ross, Mary Lee Groff and Theresa (Tony) Pulizzi; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Private family burial will take place in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at a later date.

Those wishing to contribute to Leon's memory may do so to Sandusky Central Catholic Schools, c/o the Groff Family Scholarship Fund, 410 W. Jefferson St., Sandusky, OH 44870.