Donald W. Wiper, Jr.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Donald W. Wiper, Jr., 84, of Granville, will be held at 4:00 P.M.  Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville with Rev. Trip Porch as celebrant. A private graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday, September, 28th in the John Calvin Chapel at the church.

Don passed away Thursday, September, 24, 2015 at Kendal at Granville. He was born in 1931 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Donald W. and Mary Ruth Wiper.

After graduating from Columbus North High School, “Biff” attended The Ohio State University where he was a committed student, member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, played football and ultimately earned his Juris Doctorate from the Moritz College of Law where he served as Editor of the Law Review.   Most importantly of all, it was at Ohio State that Don met Sally Adelberger and began their life together.    This November would have marked their 60th wedding anniversary. After law school,  Don joined Squire Sanders and Dempsey in Cleveland and embarked his 50 year career in Public law.  His early career was interrupted with 2 years of duty during the Korean War in the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corp stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador.   Don returned to Ohio and spent the first half of his career living in Warrensville Heights and Chagrin Falls, having four children with Sally and making many lifelong friends.  After 25 years in Cleveland, Don and Sally moved back to Columbus in Don’s new role as managing partner of the recently opened Columbus Office.  They soon found Granville and began their 35 year love affair with their adopted home town.

Don’s work in public law focused on legal support for the building and improvement of towns, schools and hospitals.  His passion and stewardship for the community good and our precious environment continued far beyond his desk at work. He served in numerous roles for the First Presbyterian Church, the Granville school district and the Licking Land Trust.  Don joined the Land Trust board in 1992 when the organization was just 3 years old.  He served as chairman of the board from 1996-2006 during which time the area protected by the Trust grew by over 700 acres. His work for the Land Trust and his passion and vision to protect the natural beauty around us continued throughout his retirement. 

Don had many accomplishments but he would be quick to point out to his family and colleagues that our resume is only a list of what we have done; it is not who we are.  Don Wiper was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, a “gentleman lawyer,” sailor, artist, gardener and intensely loyal friend.  He loved music, birds and daffodils.  He loved Onekama, Michigan and Portage Lake where he and Sally spent every summer for 60 years, teaching their kids to sail and swim and simply be together.  The gift of “going to the cottage” is an enduring treasure that already lives on in Don and Sally’s children and grandchildren all of whom love Portage as much as they always have.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Sally; children, Sanda Wiper and her fiancé Don Schuster, Donald W. “Chip” III and Theresa Wiper, Sara Wiper Sharp and Scott Wiper; and much loved grandchildren, Madeline, Will, Scott, Michael and Meredith.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Dan Wiper.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Licking Land Trust, P.O. Box 196, Granville, Ohio 43023.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

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