George Batcha

George Batcha, 82, of Detroit, Michigan, died November 2, 2010 in Michigan. He was born October 24, 1928 in Marblehead, the son of John and Anna (Groholy) Batcha. George was a retired mechanical and nuclear engineer. He was a graduate of BGSU in 1951 and received an MS in Engineering Science from the University of Toledo in 1968. George had a long and distinguished career and had much training US Army Logistics Management, was a registered professional engineer in Ohio and Michigan. He formerly worked at Standard Products, AO Smith Landing Gear Division, Glenn L Martin Company, Ford Motor Company and NASA Lewis Research Center, Plum Brook Sandusky, Armament Research and Development Command in Dover, and retired in 2002 from Tank Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren. He received a congratulatory letter from President George W. Bush for 42 years of government services and was a recipient of the Apollo Achievement Award from NASA in 1969 along with many other awards of distinction. George is survived by his wife Erika (Voelker) whom he married on January 1, 1982; step daughter Susan Kolodziejczyk; granddaughter Joanne and a sister Maggie Davenport. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John, Joe, Mike and Emil; and sisters Anna Capko, Mary Boytim and two infants girls. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday November 9 at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 7755 East Harbor Road, Marblehead where Panachida services will be at 3:30 pm. Mr. Batcha's body will be taken to church to lie in state from 9 am Wednesday until a 10 am Office of Christian Burial Liturgy at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church. The Rev. Basil Hutsko will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 7572 or St. Mary's Church. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH US 43440