Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 11/17/2000

Andrew A. Barber

Aug. 16, 1922 - Nov. 14, 2000

Andrew Allen "Andy" Barber, 78, of Myrtle Avenue, South Bend, Ind., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in his home.

Andy was born on Aug. 16, 1922, in Libertyville, Ind. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lee (Kintz) Barber; his parents, Andrew Allen Barber Sr. and Wilhelmina (Ike) Barber; his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Phoebe Barber; and by his granddaughter, Jessica Barber.

In 1941 Andy graduated from Clinton High School, Clinton, Ind., where he had been active in the Boy Scouts and excelled in playing trumpet in his school band.

On Feb. 2, 1942, Andy entered the United States Army Air Force where he proudly served his country as a radio operator and gunner during World War II. He was a decorated veteran of this war and flew in at least 20 missions over enemy territory. He also played trumpet in the Army entertainment band, the Rhythm Stylists, while stationed in Switzerland.

On Sept. 23, 1945, Andy and Betty Lee were married on the Notre Dame campus by Father Finnegan. They were blessed with six children including three sons, Danny (Benita) Barber of Union, Mich., Larry (Kathy) Barber of Edwardsburg, Mich., and Paul (Peggy) Barber of South Bend; three daughters, Terry (Don) Helvey of Englewood, Colo., Sally of Mishawaka, Ind., and Jenny (Dave) Yuhasz of South Bend; 12 grandchildren, Donny (Renee) of Castle Rock, Colo., Chris of Denver, Colo., Kasi of Englewood, Nathan (Halley) Barber of South Bend, Stefanie Squint of Mishawaka, Jane, Emily, Allen and Sarah Yuhasz of South Bend, Jessie and Willa Barber of Union, and Kimberley Barber of South Bend; two great-grandchildren, Monica and Brock Helvey of Castle Rock; and by a brother, Jack Barber of Canon City, Colo.

Andy retired from the former Bendix Corporation of South Bend where he was employed as an instrument control technician. He was a member of United Auto Workers Local 9, American Federation of Musicians Local 278, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 624. He also worked as a musician, played trumpet locally, and was most recently a member of the St. Joseph Municipal Band in St. Joseph, Mich. As well as being an avid musician he enjoyed antique cars and participated in many area car shows. He loved playing chess, bowling and crossword puzzles. The family will dearly miss him and will cherish the memories he gave us.

Services for Andy will be at noon on Saturday, Nov. 18, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, where friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind., where VFW Post 360 will conduct military graveside rites.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the local World War II veterans memorial fund.