OBITUARY: Barney Gubachy

Barney Gubachy

Age 92, died Sept. 20, 2012 at Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born June 1, 1920 in Detroit, the son of Barney & Irene (Papp) Gubachy.

Barney worked for the Ford Motor Company and Bendix in Ann Arbor. While at Bendix he worked on the Apollo space program including working on the Lunar landing module. Barney was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor where he took care of the signs outside. Barney was a tinkerer, he enjoyed fixing lawn mowers, and making his own tools. He made unicycles for each of his children.

He was married to Shirley Smith, and later to Norma Neebling, both of whom preceded him in death. Survivors include a son, Daniel (Bronwyn) Gubachy of Ann Arbor; four daughters, Diane (Alan) Knaust of Hudson, FL, Kathy (Al) Bethke of Cary, NC, Barbara (Charles) Mulder of Highland, MI, Sherry (Tim) Moore of Titus, AL; two step-daughters, Angie Showerman, Carol Ann Fleischman; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Van Norman; a brother, Jim Gubachy; and a sister, Claire Maier. 

A memorial service will be held at Chelsea Retirement Community Main Chapel, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. with Pastor Barry Ludwig officiating.

Private burial will be at Bethlehem Cemetery in Ann Arbor. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.