Donald Robert Sell

With great sadness, the Sell family announces the passing of Donald Sell on December 3, 2015. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in Toledo Hospital after a brief illness. A joyful family patriarch and active 89 year old, he will be dearly missed. Don was a popular and beloved man of amazing spirit that loved people and loved life to the end. Born January 10, 1926 to Genevieve and Otto Sell, he attended Nathan Hale School and DeVilbiss High School. Don was drafted into military service during World War II and served in the Navy. He returned to attend the University of Toledo where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. It was at the University that he met Ellen Renz. They married in 1951 and happily raised a family of three children in the Old Orchard neighborhood in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The years were good and Don was always a fun and active father. Using his technical knowledge, Don worked in television repair in the early 1950’s. He and his father soon formed their own appliance store. It was there that Don invented a device to prolong the life of Tubes in early television sets. They produced the “Telesaver” and soon began a manufacturing business. In 1959, the Don-Ell Corporation was formed, named after Don and his wife Ellen. As transistors replaced tubes in TV sets, Don looked to other areas and used his creative talents to design a new type of device to turn lights on automatically at night. He was a pioneer of photocell devices and Don-Ell became a well known manufacturer in the lighting industry. Much of the company’s success can be attributed to Don’s natural sales ability. He loved to travel to meet customers and made friends in the industry nationwide. The business was a proud accomplishment for Don, growing from the back of an appliance store, to Upton Avenue, then Bellevue road, and to the present location on Central Avenue in Sylvania. Some products that Don developed are still sold nationwide to this day. Don maintained his CEO Title and remained active in business matters, still coming to his office occasionally. Don was an active member of Pilgrim Church in the 1960’s through the 1980’s. He served on church committees and the board of directors. Don also volunteered time for SCORE, the Service Core of Retired Executives, doing business consulting. Tennis was one of Don’s passions. He enjoyed the comradery as much as the exercise. In his 60’s Don went on tennis trips with a group of friends. He truly enjoyed the activity and played tennis in Florida, Arizona, and California during the cold winter months. As tennis fans, Don and Ellen took frequent trips to the US Open tournament in New York. Other interests included following the financial markets, traveling, having lunch with friends, and spending time with family. Don always enjoyed meeting new people, and made friends quickly with his sincere interest in their lives. As Don entered his 80’s, health issues mounted forcing him to curtail and give up some activities. However, it was in this adversity that Don’s spirit and strength shined. He continued to lead an active, independent life, making the most of his abilities. He continued to live in his home in Corey Woods which remained the center of family activities. Children and grandchildren regularly gathered and loved spending time there. Don became a fixture in his neighborhood and nearby Wildwood Park as he rode his three-wheel bike stopping to chat with neighbors and meet new friends. He enjoyed this activity until his final days. Don was an exceptional person and will be missed greatly. His fun demeanor, great spirit, and love of life has set a great example for us to follow. Don’s wife Ellen passed away in 2011. He is survived by three children, Barbara, Robert, and Mary McHugh (Pete). He also had nine grandchildren; Melissa, Kevin, Peter, Emmy, Leah, Hilary, Claire, Jimmy, and Jane; and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving is sister Genny Cullen, cousin Martha Duty, nieces, and nephews. Special thanks to family friend Jessica for her heartfelt assistance. A brief Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2PM on Friday, December 11 at the Ward Pavilion at Wildwood Park 4830 W. Central Ave Toledo, OH 43615 (east entrance to Wildwood Metropark. This will be followed by receiving of friends until 8 PM. Arrangements are by the Walker Funeral Home. The family suggests consideration of contributions to the Cullen Center of Toledo Children’s Hospital 2150 W. Central Ave. Level 2 Toledo, OH 43606, the Family and Child Abuse great sadness, the Sell family announces the passing of Donald Sell on December 3, 2015. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in Toledo Hospital after a brief illness. A joyful family patriarch and active 89 year old, he will be dearly missed. Don was a popular and beloved man of amazing spirit that loved people and loved life to the end. Born January 10, 1926 to Genevieve and Otto Sell, he attended Nathan Hale School and DeVilbiss High School. Don was drafted into military service during World War II and served in the Navy. He returned to attend the University of Toledo where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. It was at the University that he met Ellen Renz. They married in 1951 and happily raised a family of three children in the Old Orchard neighborhood in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The years were good and Don was always a fun and active father. Using his technical knowledge, Don worked in television repair in the early 1950’s. He and his father soon formed their own appliance store. It was there that Don invented a device to prolong the life of Tubes in early television sets. They produced the “Telesaver” and soon began a manufacturing business. In 1959, the Don-Ell Corporation was formed, named after Don and his wife Ellen. As transistors replaced tubes in TV sets, Don looked to other areas and used his creative talents to design a new type of device to turn lights on automatically at night. He was a pioneer of photocell devices and Don-Ell became a well known manufacturer in the lighting industry. Much of the company’s success can be attributed to Don’s natural sales ability. He loved to travel to meet customers and made friends in the industry nationwide. The business was a proud accomplishment for Don, growing from the back of an appliance store, to Upton Avenue, then Bellevue road, and to the present location on Central Avenue in Sylvania. Some products that Don developed are still sold nationwide to this day. Don maintained his CEO Title and remained active in business matters, still coming to his office occasionally. Don was an active member of Pilgrim Church in the 1960’s through the 1980’s. He served on church committees and the board of directors. Don also volunteered time for SCORE, the Service Core of Retired Executives, doing business consulting. Tennis was one of Don’s passions. He enjoyed the comradery as much as the exercise. In his 60’s Don went on tennis trips with a group of friends. He truly enjoyed the activity and played tennis in Florida, Arizona, and California during the cold winter months. As tennis fans, Don and Ellen took frequent trips to the US Open tournament in New York. Other interests included following the financial markets, traveling, having lunch with friends, and spending time with family. Don always enjoyed meeting new people, and made friends quickly with his sincere interest in their lives. As Don entered his 80’s, health issues mounted forcing him to curtail and give up some activities. However, it was in this adversity that Don’s spirit and strength shined. He continued to lead an active, independent life, making the most of his abilities. He continued to live in his home in Corey Woods which remained the center of family activities. Children and grandchildren regularly gathered and loved spending time there. Don became a fixture in his neighborhood and nearby Wildwood Park as he rode his three-wheel bike stopping to chat with neighbors and meet new friends. He enjoyed this activity until his final days. Don was an exceptional person and will be missed greatly. His fun demeanor, great spirit, and love of life has set a great example for us to follow. Don’s wife Ellen passed away in 2011. He is survived by three children, Barbara, Robert, and Mary McHugh (Pete). He also had nine grandchildren; Melissa, Kevin, Peter, Emmy, Leah, Hilary, Claire, Jimmy, and Jane; and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving is sister Genny Cullen, cousin Martha Duty, nieces, and nephews. Special thanks to family friend Jessica for her heartfelt assistance. A brief Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2PM on Friday, December 11 at the Ward Pavilion at Wildwood Park 4830 W. Central Ave Toledo, OH 43615 (east entrance to Wildwood Metropark. This will be followed by receiving of friends until 8 PM. Arrangements are by the Walker Funeral Home. The family suggests consideration of contributions to the Cullen Center of Toledo Children’s Hospital 2150 W. Central Ave. Level 2 Toledo, OH 43606, the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center 2460 Cherry St. Toledo, OH 43608 or a charity of the donor’s choice.