Adams 1948 Cecil Corwin Colbert

Nov. 21, 1930 - Dec. 5, 2017

MISHAWAKA - Cecil Corwin Colbert, 87, residing in Mishawaka, IN passed away at 5:28 am on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at home, surrounded by his family.

He was born November 21, 1930 in South Bend, IN, a son of the late Cecil Wayne Colbert and Berdine (Conine) Colbert. Cecil first married Joyce Bulla in 1948. He later married Sharon Ayers-Pugh in 1968. Cecil was a proud member of the River Park community, growing up in the area and graduating from John Adams High School. He went on to honorably serve our nation in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1950. He graduated from the U.S. Navy School of Music where he played the French horn. When Cecil returned home he set right to work, often holding multiple jobs at one time. Cecil was a proud automotive union member and worked as a supervisor and director of quality control for Honeywell, also known as Bendix. He retired from Bendix and later became a supervisor and director of quality control at AM General; a host and manager of the Airport Sky Room Restaurant and White Chimney Restaurant, as well as various odd jobs throughout the area. His many employments led him to make dozens of friends throughout the area. In what free time he had Cecil joined the NAACP, helped to create the Jive Hive Dance Club at Walnut Grove, and attended First United Methodist Church of River Park, where he participated in Boy Scouts and church socials. In his later years Cecil fondly remembered playing the French horn for honored guest, Errol Flynn, while stationed on a ship. He became an avid golfer and enjoyed Notre Dame tailgate parties with his family. Cecil loved to be by the lake and enjoyed spending time at cottages in the summer with his family, as well as swimming and fishing. He will always be remembered for his sweet and caring nature and generous spirit. Cecil was a loving and kind father and grandfather.

Cecil is survived by his daughter, Georgia Pugh Wiseman of Mishawaka; sons, Rick Colbert of Mishawaka and Michael Pugh Colbert of South Bend; four grandchildren, Esther Colbert, Joel Wiseman, Lauryn Wiseman, and Paige Wiseman; and his former wife, Sharon Ayers-Pugh. He was preceded in death by his sons, Ross and Robert Colbert; sister, Dianne Lou Colbert-Aker; stepfather, Samuel Mills; and former wife, Joyce Bulla.

The family of Cecil would like to extend a special “Thanks” to Whispering Pine Apartments, the Center for Hospice South Bend, Dr. Reidy, Dr. Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. Turk, and to Dr. Matthew Johnson at IUPU Hospital. Your caring, compassion and hard work in helping Cecil over the past years, has been a blessing for our family.

The family will receive friends from 3-7:00 pm Sunday, December 10th at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend and from 9:30-10:30 am Monday. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday at the funeral home. Graveside services and military honors will follow in Gracelawn Cemetery, Elkhart, IN.

Any contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice, 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637 in Cecil Colbert's name. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune from Dec. 9 to Dec. 10, 2017

jmc 10  dec 2017