Gary Dean “Merf” Robbins, 73, Pierceton, passed away at 10:44 a.m. on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at his home. He was born on May 4, 1946, in Warsaw, to Roswell and Alice (Johnston) Robbins.

He graduated in 1964 from Sidney High School and enlisted in the United States Marines Corps and served from Nov. 6, 1965, thru Nov. 5, 1971. He lived most of his life in the Pierceton area and lived in the house he built for his family. He was married on June 30, 1973, in Pierceton, to Carol D. English who survives. He retired on Oct. 6, 2017, from Zimmer, Inc. as a tool and die manufacturer after 42 years and was formerly a truck driver for Monarch Industries in Syracuse.

He was a member of the New Beginnings Church and World Outreach in Winona Lake and the American Legion Post 258 in Pierceton. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He enjoyed working with his hands, the outdoors, and was an avid morel mushroom hunter.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Carol Robbins of Pierceton; three sons:  Adam (Maureen) Robbins of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; Aaron (Angie) Robbins of Pierceton, and Alan (Summer Dornick) of Bourbon; five grandchildren: Avery, Alex, Dalton, Karver, and Ashlynn; great-granddaughter, Hazel; his sister, Brenda (Denny) Laffoon of Fort Wayne; and his brother, Bill (Diana) Robbins of Morrison, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Connie Bowers, and brother, Stanley Robbins.

A celebration of life gathering will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, at the Pierceton American Legion, 104 N. 1st St, Pierceton. A private family military burial will take place at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton with Pastor Ronnie Patrick officiating. Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. SR 15, Warsaw is in charge of all arrangements.

Preferred memorials may be given to the New Beginnings Church and World Outreach, P.O. Box 913, Warsaw, IN 46581 or Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581. To send condolences to the family of Gary “Merf” Robbins, please visit www.cremationserviceskc.com