Don Wolfe

Don Blair Wolfe, fondly nicknamed “Hoot,” died at the age of 94 (January 17, 1928 — June 3, 2022). He was surrounded by a loving family sharing memories of his amazing life.

Don was a lifetime resident of Mason, Ohio — his family could never drive by that blue house on Church Street without him reminding them all that he was born in the front room. He was the youngest son to Lee Claire and Gretchen Wolfe. Soon, he and his older brother Robert (Bob) Wolfe, and the wild collection of his friends created all sorts of trouble and laughter throughout Mason. He graduated from William Mason High School in 1946 and was a proud direct descendant of William Mason.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corp with his friend, Carl Spaeth. Don completed his service to his country through the ROTC program at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and graduated in 1952. It was at Miami where he met the love of his life, sweetheart of Sigma Chi, Arlene (Retallick) Wolfe, and they married in 1954.

Don and Arlene went on to raise five children and had a very full and active life watching them grow, play sports, and participate in various school activities. Some of Don’s favorite stories were retelling of the many times one of his children drove a car through the bay window of their childhood home or the times he needed to ensure that children were being treated with respect and fairness — earning him the nickname Daddy Rino. While raising their children and spoiling their grandchildren, Don and Arlene spent many summers boating Lake Cumberland.

Don was a founding member of the Mason Community Players, and he was the tenor in a barbershop quartet —  a skill his entire family was able to witness as he serenaded Arlene on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Don retired after a long, successful career with General Electric. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling the world with Arlene. He and Arlene both enjoyed golfing and annually traveled with a group of couples to The Greenbriar in West Virginia for a weekend filled with golf and lots of laughter. He enjoyed being a member of Kiwanis, helping to plan pancake days and golf outings.

But Don’s biggest joys in life were spending time with his friends and family. One could always find Don attending his grandchildren's sporting events, having dinner and drinks at the Houston Inn, or hosting a family get-together. And no matter where Don could be found, he would be cracking jokes, dancing with the ladies, and loving life.

The family feels confident his favorite dance partner, who preceded him in death in 2004, was waiting for him at the gates when he arrived Home. And as he joins his wife, parents, brother, and granddaughter, he will always be remembered and loved by his children, Stephen (Linda) Wolfe, Sallie (Herbie) Nally, Scott (Kelly) Wolfe, Sarah (Robert) Niehoff, and Sharon (Michael) Collier, fourteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service for the family will be held at a later date. In memory of Hoot, “Please make someone laugh each day, even if it’s only yourself.”