Edsel Robinson Edsel E. Robinson, 81, of Trout Lake, a U.S. Navy veteran, was active in the American Legion, and helped establish American Legion Posts in Garden, Engadine, St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, and Pickford.

He was Past Commander of Hulbert Post 393 for 10 years. He was 11th District Commander, American Legion; Assistant Vice Commanders; Assistant Membership Commander, and U.P. Association Commander.

Mr. Robinson held several Department of Michigan appointments, was on the Department of Children and Youth Committee, and was a life member of Engadine Post 290.

He received four Pioneer awards from the American Legion and was a charter member of the World War II Monument Committee.

Mr. Robinson died peacefully Friday, May 23, 2008, at his home in Trout Lake. He had been ill with cancer.

He was born May 7, 1927, to Daniel Henry and Very Mae (nee Tupper) Robinson, at a logging camp between Brevort and Trout Lake. He was the oldest of 13 children in the family.

He entered the United States Navy August 26, 1944, at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. He served on several Navy vessels, and was discharged June 24, 1946.

Mr. Robinson married Mary Helen Witchell in Gladstone in 1947, and she survives him. The couple has lived in Trout Lake since 1983.

During his working life, Mr. Robinson ran an IGA store in Garden, worked for Federal Mogul in St. Johns for several years, spent 26 years at Plywood Manufacturing in Newberry, and worked more than 10 years as a supervisor at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

In his early days of working, he helped build M-123 from Trout Lake, camping at the park in a converted school bus with his family.

Mr. Robinson was a caring and giving person, friends said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Robinson is survived by a son and his family, Douglas and Candice of Manistique; three daughters and their families, Karen Robinson of Newberry, Rose and Jim Wiltse of Eaton Rapids, and Diana Bancroft of Iron Mountain; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; five brothers and their families, Stafford of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Everett of Gladstone, Raymond of Arkansas, Fred of Gladstone, and David of Escanaba; six sisters and their families, Dorothy Drossert of Escanaba, Catherine Alexander of Gladstone, Linda Drossert of Florida, Almeda Bricker of Gladstone, Wanda Wills of Gladstone, and Brenda Schenier of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Clay, who died two years ago.

A celebration of his life will be Saturday, June 7, at 3 p.m. at the Engadine American Legion-VFW Post.

Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace assisted the family with arrangements.