Nov. 26, 1927 -- Nov. 3, 2003

William A. Barbera, 75, of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away Monday, Nov. 3, in Regency Place of South Bend, Ind.

He was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Mishawaka, to Rocco and Evelyn (Gish) Barbera, and Mishawaka would be his lifelong home.

Bill was a graduate of St. Joseph Grade School and a 1946 graduate of Mishawaka High School. His education also included attending IU and in 1956 he graduated from South Bend College of Commerce.

Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. He was an accountant for 37 years at Bendix. Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Eagles, American Legion and the Bendix Retirees Club. He was a former member of the BK and DiLoreto Clubs. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid reader.

The focus and center of Bill's life was his family. On Sept. 10, 1949, in St. Bavo Catholic Church, he married the former Doris J. Thomas, who preceded him in death in 1998. Bill was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Stephen Barbera in 1998.

He is survived by a son, Philip (Carolyn) Barbera of Mishawaka; two daughters, Patricia Barbera of South Bend and Margaret (John) Banicki of Mishawaka; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Barbera Diesing of South Bend, Ind.; and by five grandchildren, David and Jonathan Barbera, Christopher Barbera, and Michael and Melissa Banicki.

Friends may spend time with Bill's family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, 503 W. Third St., Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill St., Mishawaka, with Rev. Fr. Robert Yast officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.

Bill will be remembered as a good husband, dad and grandpa.