Don Michel

1934 - 2017

(News story) Don Michel of Maumee, a northwest Ohio businessman and philanthropist who was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, died Thursday at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township. He was 82.

Mr. Michel succumbed to lung problems, said Venice Michel, his wife of 56 years.

"He was a very kind, humble, extremely generous man who thought of everyone else before himself," Mrs. Michel said. "He loved Toledo, his family, and friends. He was very supportive in his children's activities, including sports, and was an avid reader, reading 100 or more books a month."

His son, Robert Michel, agreed.

"Dad was generous to a fault and I loved him for it," he said. "I will always remember his advice: 'You are the sum of the choices you make in life.'"

In 1980, Don Michel received Bowling Green State University's Honorary Alumni Award, recognizing people who have significantly contributed to the university but aren't alumni.

He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Toledo before going to work for the Ford Motor Co. for eight years. He received his law degree in 1970 from Cleveland State University and practiced law privately in Toledo for five years before he purchased his first McDonald's restaurant franchise.

Mr. Michel grew up with M*A*S*H actor Jamie Farr in Toledo, and the two remained close their entire lives. Mr. Michel approached Mr. Farr about hosting a Ladies' Professional Golf Association tournament, now known as the Marathon Classic and held each year at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania.

"Don was approached about the idea of the tournament and he believed in the idea, so he called me and asked me to be the tournament host," Mr. Farr said. "He provided the seed money for the first few years. He took a chance."

When Mr. Michel announced he planned to pass the golf tournament on to others in 1984, Mr. Farr told The Blade: "That's what he thinks,'' and promised to find a way to make his friend work.

Mr. Farr commented on Mr. Michel's great sense of humor.

"Don has been in my entire life," Mr. Farr said. "He is a childhood friend who comes from humble beginnings like I did."

Mr. Michel served as president of the Ohio McDonald's Operator Association, a member of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, and a member of BGSU's President's Club.

He was a co-founder of northwest Ohio's Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1982. The program provides homelike, temporary accommodations to families obtaining medical care for children and awards funding to organizations that enrich the children's lives.

"One of our major things is called our Founders' Society, which is in honor of Don and two other founders," said executive director Chad Bringman. "He would come to those events and tell the story about how the whole thing started and what the process was like. He was always very proud."

Mr. Bringman said Mr. Michel served as a board member and board president, and was involved with the charity's overall planning efforts. Mr. Bringman knew Mr. Michel for 11 years.

"He was somebody who really cared about what you had to say," Mr. Bringman said. "He would ask about families at the house and ask about how things were going. He would be the first one to step up and take on a project if he knew he could help."

He was born Nov. 6, 1934 in Toledo to Shefik and Rumza Michel.

Ron Mickel, a life-long friend, said they grew up together and then deployed to the Korean War together in 1953. After receiving their honorable discharges in 1959, they returned to the Toledo area and opened a carryout named Michael's Beverage Center as a compromise to their names.

"Then Don went back to school at UT, then worked at Ford, and then got his law degree," Mr. Mickel said.

"We have enjoyed about 75 years of friendship," he said. "Don had a warm heart and was very generous, and had a unique sense of humor."

Mr. Michel and his wife began buying McDonald's franchises in the early 1970s, starting with one in Bowling Green in 1970 and a second in that city two years later. The family went on to own 14 franchises for the Golden Arches.

Business took off, as did their volunteer work. Over the years, the Michels volunteered in countless charitable campaigns, including events for the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Symphony, and what was then Toledo Hospital. In 1997, a charity cigar tasting event he helped organize raised $61,000 for the Medical College of Ohio Foundation.

He also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons.

Surviving are his wife, Venice Michel; sister, Connie Hanna; son, Robert Michel; daughters, Brooke Wyussim and Renee Michel, and three grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 3) at Witzler Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg. There will be be no services.

The family suggests tributes to Ronald McDonald House, Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg Township, the Maumee branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, or a charity of the donor's choice.