Submitted by: Dan Rich

Michael E. Derbin

Oct. 22, 1914 - March 5, 2001

South Bend Tribune 3/7/2001

Michael E. Derbin, 86, of Mishawaka, Ind., died at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 5, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind. Mr. Derbin was born on Oct. 22, 1914, in Mishawaka, to George and Julia Derbin. He was a lifetime resident of Mishawaka. Mr. Derbin was preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, John and Charles Derbin. On June 14, 1942, he married the former Cecelia Cyganek in Mishawaka, who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Julie (Jack) Gollings of Mishawaka; two sons, George (Dolores) Derbin of Mishawaka and John Derbin of South Bend; along with three grandchildren, Michael John Derbin of Chicago, Kristina Derbin of New York and Johanna Gollings of Mishawaka. Also surviving is a sister, Ann Marchi; and sister-in-law, Jean Derbin; along with many nieces and nephews. Mr. Derbin attended the University of Washington, Seattle, and received a BS degree in sociology/criminology and a law degree, both from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend.

Mr. Derbin completed a distinguished career in the United States Army, serving in the European Theater in General George S. Patton's 3rd Army. He also served General Horace McBride as a photo intelligence officer and Russian interpreter. After the war he remained active in the US Army Reserve, and retired in 1974 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Mr. Derbin started the Mishawaka Warehouse and Distributing Company in 1957, and was actively involved in the business until his death. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka where he was a Fidelis Class Sunday School teacher.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 7, in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola, Ind., with Rev. Gary Scott officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.