Elburn Dean 'Gay ' Robinson

Elburn Dean 'Gay ' Robinson, 89, of Warsaw, Indiana, died on 5/24/2010 at 6:03 am at Grace Village Retirement Community Winona Lake, In. He was born on October 15, 1920 in Jay County, IN.. Gay was born to Emery Harrison and Bertha Lawson Robinson. On August 22, 1943 at Wabash Friends Church in Wabash, IN, he was united in marriage to Martha Esther Dubois, who surives. He lived in Jay County for 12 years, Wabash County for 21 years and Kosciusko County for 55 years. He was Founder and CEO of Robinson Construction Inc. of Warsaw, IN and was a founding partner in Holiday Inns in Wabash and Warsaw; Warsaw Airport Industrial Park and Medcast, Inc.. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on October 22, 1942, and was assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group. He was sent to India by ship and flown over “The Hump” to China. He was stationed at various Flying Tigers bases as photo technician and spent approximately one year in China. He was honorably discharged January 17, 1946, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. This group was known as Flying Tigers, well publicized for aiding in the defeat of the Japanese in their attempt to conquer China. In addition, he was a member of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce and the men's league at Gilliam Bowling Lanes, Warsaw. Gay is also survived by a loving family including five children: Dan J. (and wife Cheryl Ann) Robinson of Warsaw; Marta Gay Hopkins(and companion Larry Coplen) of Syracuse; Douglas K. (and wife Mary) Robinson of Warsaw; Gregg R. (and wife Lisa) Robinson of Warsaw; and Dennis A. (and wife Sarah) Robinson of Warsaw, In addition, Gay is survived by special former son-in-law Dan (and wife Marlene) Hoffer of Warsaw.10 grandchildren Jackie (Husband Ron) Bradley, Brent (Wife Julie) Robinson, Lori Robinson(Companion Heath Gaerie), Kim (Husband Travis) Bouldin, Branden (Wife Courtney) Robinson, Julie Robinson, Hilary Robinson, Steve Robinson, Leslie Robinson, Ben Robinson 3 step-grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marjorie Featheringill, Tupelo, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Brothers Lee and Sherwood Robinson, Wabash, Indiana, and Sisters Berneal Collins, Wabash and Grace Summers,Wabash, Norine Eppley, North manchester, and Mary Radabaugh Metzger, Wabash.Jeff Carroll of Grace Village Retirement Comunity, Winona Lake, IN. will officiate the services. Military Honors will be rendered at Oakwood Cemetery by the Warsaw American Legion Post #49 and the Warsaw Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1126 in honor and remembrance of Gay's faithfull service to God and Country during World War II. Services will be held at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel - Warsaw, IN. on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.. Calling hours will be 3:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 27, 2010. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery - Warsaw, IN.. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel - Warsaw, IN. is in charge of arrangements. The family kindly requests memiorial contributions be made to: Grace Village Retirement Community 337 Grace Village Drive Winona Lake, IN. 46590 or Kosciusko County YMCA1401 E. Smith St.Warsaw, IN. 46580