In memory of Douglas Theodore "Mandrake" Clafin, Sr.

November 11, 1928 -- October 5, 1997




Obituary

DOUGLAS T CLAFLIN SR.

      Funeral services for Douglas T Mandrake Clafhn Sr, 68, of 650 Clinton Court will be held at 11 a m Wednesday at Routson Funeral Chapel with Bishop Craig Parker officiating Burial will be in Knollcrest Cemetery.
     Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
     Mr. Claflin died Sunday night, Oct. 5, 1997 at Medical College Hospitals, Toledo.
     He was born Nov 11 1928 in Columbus to Douglas F and Christina (Crist) Clallin. He married Pearl Mariani on June 5, 1955 in Findlay, and she survives.
     Also surviving are two daughters, Irma Manley, St. Louis; Wilanna Groves, Findlay, a son Doug Jr of Findlay, and nine grandchildren.
     Mr Claflin was a self-employed magician and illusionist. He worked professionally as Theo Mandrake for more than 50 years. He owned and operated Mandrake’s Magic Shop on North Main Street for several years.
     Mr. Claflin also had traveled as a professional illusionist. He had appeared with many circuses and appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
     He was a member of the Toledo Society of Magicians; Northwest Ohio Magicians; International Brotherhood of Magicians, for which he was past territorial representative; and Findlay Area Fellowship of Christian Magicians.
     Mr. Claflin also was known as Santa Claus at the Findlay Village Mall for the past several years. He had been featured on television in that role.
     Mr. Claflin was an Army veteran.
     Memorials may be made to the family, in care of the funeral home.



MANDRAKE

M is for the MEMORIES he left behind for us

A is for ALWAYS a helping hand

N is for NEVER say no to anything or anyone

D is for DEVOTED to magic-and-all-of-us

R is for READY to talk to us when we needed him

A is for an ANCHOR and foundation that he was

K is for KINDNESS he always had for each and everyone

E is for his EVERLASTING love he had for all of us

Add all of these things together and they spell MANDRAKE

The love of our life and happiness, that we will all sadly miss.

Norman E. Hamlfn
Norman The Wizard of Magic

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