Edward "Ed" Maurice Grabill

Edward Maurice Grabill, Jr., age 86 passed away peacefully on January 15, 2022. Ed was born September 15, 1935, in Casper, Wy to Edna A. and Edward M. Grabill, Sr. When Ed was still a toddler his parents moved the family to Chicago. Ed spent extended summers with relatives in Wyoming throughout his childhood, leading to his lifelong fondness for Wyoming, especially the Big Horn Mountains and the little town of Story, WY., where he owned his treasured log cabin.

Ed attended Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, IL, and earned his undergraduate degree from Miami University, Oxford, OH, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. It was at Miami that Ed met the love of his life, Sara (Sally) Jane Risk. Ed and Sally were married shortly after graduating in 1957, officially becoming a “Miami Merger”. Their love and support of Miami University continued throughout their lives. Ed earned his J.D. from University of Michigan Law School in 1962. Ed’s successful legal career spanned more than 50 years. He was a calm, steady hand to a large clientele.

Ed was a man of many enthusiasms. He had a passion for sports and was a championship level handball player, spending countless hours at the local YMCA’s playing the game he loved. He was also passionate about Chicago’s sports teams, especially the Cubs. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies and never got tired of re-watching the classics. He loved music and art and was an avid collector of western etchings. For many years, Ed and Sally traveled every winter to the Bavarian Alps. Ed taught himself to speak German which he loved using on their trips to Austria and Germany. Eventually this led to travel throughout the world. He loved meeting new people and was genuinely interested in getting to know them. He made friends at all stages throughout his life and truly enjoyed maintaining those friendships. Ed had a kind, generous spirit and a relentlessly positive approach to life. He was an eternal optimist; very funny and fun loving to the end.

Ed will be deeply missed by his wife of 64 years, Sally, his children Kerry (Mitchell) Baldwin, David (Mary Carol) and Michael (Stephanie) Grabill, his grandchildren and great-grandchild, his sister Sue (Jerry) Turek, his extended family members and his many, many dear friends.

A celebration of Ed’s life is being planned for the Spring.

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