TOBIN, Donald Gerald, Sgt. Ret 1927-2013

TOBIN, MITCHELL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 4/17/2013 at 23:48:06

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, March 24, 2013]

CEDAR FALLS — Gunnery Sgt. Ret. Donald Gerald Tobin, 85, formerly of Cedar Falls, died at home in Mesquite, Nev., Sunday, March 17, 2013, from mesothelioma.

He was born April 19, 1927, in New York City, son of Lester and Anna Tobin.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and a few years later re-enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps assigned to Pearl Harbor. He then joined the Reserves until he was called up for the Korean War. After the war he became a recruiter in the Kansas and Wisconsin areas. In 1968 he volunteered himself to be sent to Vietnam and was assigned as part of the 5th Marines. He moved to Waterloo and worked as a recruiter until his 30 years of military service were done and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant E7. He worked in various sales positions in the Cedar Valley before making his home in Mesquite the last 12 years.

Survived by: a son, Dave (Dawn) of Waverly; three daughters: Debra (Jay) Mitchell of Owasso, Okla., Diane Tobin of Traer and Michelle Tobin Adams of San Bernardino, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Preceded in death by an infant child, a brother and sister.

Services will be held in the spring at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter.

Memorials may be made directly to the Tobin family at 2424 Grand Ave., Waverly 50677 and will be donated to veteran groups in the area in honor of their father.

Donald served his country honorably, enjoyed his Veterans club, traveling, cooking and playing bingo; he will be missed by many.