Gary E. Papach, 81, of South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully on Wednesday,

November 26,2025 at 4:15 a.m. at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana

in Mishawaka. Gary is survived by his two daughters, Leyna and Maiya Papach and

three grandchildren: Masumi, Lillian, and Naoki. Also surviving are four siblings:

Linda Goodsitt, Gail Reschly, Laura Cummins, and Quentin Papach.

Gary was born in South Bend, Indiana on October 22, 1944. After eight years, the family

moved to Hamilton, OH where he took an interest in playing the clarinet and bassoon in

school. He chose to concentrate on the bassoon and eight years later, the family relocated

back to South Bend when Gary finished his senior year of high school, then graduated with

a four-year degree in music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and played in the

Cincinnati Symphony. He played in the Navy Band in Washington, DC for three years which

included a world tour. 

Gary was a composer with his most significant accomplishment being an opera based on

O’Henry’s short story, “The Last Leaf” that was performed in the Czech Republic in 2006.

He was quite an entertainer, playing Rag, Polka, Jazz, and Classical music on the accordion

and piano for our family and the community.

We love you Gary and we are sure you are singing and playing in heaven.

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with his care.