Robert Deaton Maish, 83, of Tippecanoe Lake, Leesburg, died at 7:11 p.m. July 23, 2007, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born July 12, 1924, in Warsaw, the eldest son of Clarence and Kathryn Deaton Maish. His wife, Roma Maish, survives.
He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1942, and attended Indiana University, Bloomington, where his education was interrupted by World War II. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the European Theater of Operations and saw action in England, France and Germany.
Following World War II, he entered the family business, Little Crow Foods, Warsaw, previously known as Little Crow Milling Co. He spent his entire working career at Little Crow, become president of the company in 1958, a position he held until retiring in 1991.
His community activities include membership in the founding group of Kosciusko Community Hospital, where he served as a board member and president. He was a past president and board member of Warsaw Community Development Corp. and Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, Leesburg. He served as a board member on the Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, YMCA and United Way. He was a member of American Legion Post 49, Warsaw.
His philanthropic vision was instrumental in the creation, design, funding and construction of the Gardens of Central Park. This, all to benefit the citizens and community of the great city of Warsaw and Kosciusko County, with the beauty of a premiere botanical garden. Futhermore, he provided an endowment fund for the perpetual maintenance of the gardens to insure its continual beauty for generations to come.
He was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church, Warsaw; an associate member of Palm City (Fla.) Presbyterian Church; and attended Warsaw Community Church.
Also surviving are a son, Scott (and wife Elizabeth) Maish, Tucson, Ariz.; three daughters: Mrs. Hector (Robin) Espiriti, Phoenix, Ariz.; Mrs. John (Dana) Pritchett, Columbus, Ohio; and Mrs. Denny (Kim) Fuller, Leesburg; a brother, Bruce Maish, Seneca, S.C.; and seven grandchildren: Jessica Espiriti, Caitlin Maish, Riley, Jordan and Griffin Fuller and Kelly and Jed Pritchett.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating. A private burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials to The Gardens of Central Park Endowment Fund, c/o Kosciusko Community Foundation Inc., 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
