Donald Gfell Obituary, Death – After a brief illness, 81-year-old Donald L. Gfell, who had lived in Milan for many years, died at the Stein Hospice Care Center on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Don was born January 9, 1942, in Monroeville, Ohio. His parents, Edward L. and Zelma M. (Haynes) Gfell, died. Don graduated from Milan School n 1960. He then earned a B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University. He earned a master’s in teaching from the University of Minnesota. He taught and managed schools. He retired as Edison Local Schools Superintendent after 15 years. Friends called Don “Edison Man,” and he was active in his community. With his wife Bobbie, he established Milan’s Sights and Sounds of Edison antique store.
His time was generous. He was a longtime Edison Birthplace Museum board member, Milan Rotary Club Past President, and active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. He founded the C&E Foundation, which awards many Edison High School graduates scholarships, since he cared about education. Don enjoyed Thomas Edison’s stuff, and he was the only one developing and hand-making phonograph wood horns. He helped acquire a statue of Thomas Edison in Statuary Hall at the Capital Building in Washington, D.C. to represent Ohio. Don’s group won a contest to update one of Statuary Hall’s two sculptures. He commissioned a sculptor and installed the Thomas Edison statue in 2016.
He was “Gramps” and a teacher. He made classroom, home, and road learning entertaining and engaging. Don’s enthusiasm for his Edison collection and understanding was infectious. He saw the best in everyone, therefore he never gave up. Don constantly saw someone he knew on his cross-country treks. He was fascinating and liked everyone. His family mattered most. Don loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Don is survived by his wife, Bobbie (Rockwell) Gfell; children, Ann (Tim) Spurrier of Concord Township, OH and Greg (Cheril Walker) Gfell of Kent, OH; six grandchildren, Eli (Ally), Ben, Noah, Patrick, Mason, and Christian; sisters, Mary Simon and Rose Reinbolt, both of Norwalk, OH; brothers, Tom (Nancy), Fred (Joyce), and John Gfell of Milan, OH; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friends.