Michael E. Barbee

Michael E. Barbee, 63, of Shelbyville, passed away at home surrounded by family on September 16, 2011. Born January 3, 1948 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Edward Barbee and Dorothy (Judd) Bray. He married Judith Stadtmiller on June 30, 1979, and she survives. Other survivors include his son, Jonathon Michael Barbee of Shelbyville; daughter, Michelle (husband, Jason) Wheelhouse of Boggstown; granddaughter, "his baby girl", Emma Wheelhouse of Boggstown; sister, Teresa Francis of Beech Grove; aunts, Wilma Thomas of Greenwood and Thelma Ponting of Bradenton, Florida and two daughters of Indianapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents. Michael was the owner of M&K Body Company Inc., in Shelbyville, for 14 years, as well as an entrepreneur/owner of Reasonable Rentals. Michael graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1966 and achieved highest honors in all tech and certification classes throughout his career. He was a member of the Blue River Tech Board, Kiwanis International and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Michael had an extraordinary talent with cars, making something wonderful out of nothing. He loved going to stock car races at Speedrome with his son, and he enjoyed listening to Colts games on the radio, tinkering on something, spending time in the garage and doing activities with his family. Michael will be greatly missed because of his warm smile and generosity to all. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 pm, Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St, with the rosary recited at 2 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Monday, September 19, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St. in Shelbyville. Interment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Michael Barbee Memorial Fund, in care of Freeman Family Funeral Homes, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.