BLOOMINGTON - Roby Earl New, 76, passed away at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at his residence.

Born on Feb. 15, 1928 in Bloomington, he was the son of Curtis and May (Hughes) New.

He was a 20 year veteran of the U. S. Air Force serving in telecommunications in both WWII and Korea. He was an electrician in California, Indiana and Ohio before retiring, and was a member of the IBEW Local 725 in Terre Haute.

Survivors include three sons, William Earl New of Tucson, Ariz., Michael Lee New of Bloomfield, and Steven Joe New of Bloomington; one daughter, Rebecca Anne Oliver of Bloomington; three brothers, Jack New of Bloomfield, Austin New of Fla., and Mike New of Bloomfield; one sister, Phyllis Bohall of Bloomington ; 12 grandchildren, and several great and great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vonda Pauline New, who passed away on July 10, 1988; one granddaughter, five brothers and sisters; and his parents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at Jenkins & Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Brother Jim Barker officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Friends may call from 4 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, and from 1 p.m. until time of service on Friday at the funeral home.