SOUTH BEND – Darrel R. “Bob” Corson, 85, of Leesburg, and formerly of South Bend, passed away Dec. 16, 2011, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
He was born Dec. 30, 1925, at Heaton Lake, Elkhart County, to Merle and Jessie Bickel Corson. On Nov. 21, 1954, in Muncie, he married Peggy Ellis, who survives.
He graduated from Bristol High School and in 1944, entered the U.S. Army and served with honor under General Patton in Germany during World War II. He received the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars, The Army of Occupation Medal Germany and the Good conduct medal. After his service he furthered his education at Ball State and received his degree in 1950 in accounting. He began his long working career at the Indiana Gas Co., Muncie, and also worked at Kawneer Door, Niles; Koontz Wagner Electric; and J.S. Metals, South Bend. He retired in 1990 as vice president of purchasing at Biomet, Warsaw. He was a former member of Community Congregational Church and was a member of the National Association of Purchasing Managers. He was an avid fan of Ball State, the Bears, Cubs and Notre Dame. He was active in coaching Little League Baseball and the Clay JBA.
Also surviving are his children: Michelle (and spouse Keith) Davis, Westfield; Mike R. (and spouse Linda) Corson, Fort Wayne, and Doug W. Corson, Niles, Mich.; four grandchildren: Andrew Michael (and spouse Jenna) Corson, Kathryn E. Corson (and fiance Josh Lembke), Dalton B. Davis and Austin R. Ward; and a sister, Lois McClure, Elkhart. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Betty Bickel and Doris Mae Menges.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Burial will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park with military honors.
Calling is from 11 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the funeral home.
***** Memorials may be made to The Indiana Veterans Hospital or The Salvation Army.
