Olas A. Hubbs

Olas A. Hubbs, 94, of Mooresville, IN passed away on January 23, 2013. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on Dec. 31, 1918 to the late Emory and Lula Bell (Johnson)Hubbs. He worked for Link-Belt (now FMC) as a machinist for over 40 years. He grew up in Southside Indianapolis, attending PS 72 and graduating from Emmerich Manual Training High School where he excelled in woodworking. As a teen he enjoyed bicycling with his friends throughout central and southern Indiana and one of his first jobs was using his bicycle to deliver telegrams for Western Union. On January 21, 1939 he married Hilda Hotopp. They had four children: Linda, Olas (Skip), Beverly, and Barbara. In 1949 he designed and built a home for his family in Camby. He used his woodworking skills to make all the cabinetry and some of the furniture for their home. He and Hilda lived there for 58 years until they moved to Meadow Lakes Senior Community in Mooresville. Olas was also very active in Boy Scouts, serving as a troop leader, and District Commissioner for many years. Additionally he helped Hilda with many camporees, campouts, hikes, and canoe trips for the Girl Scouts. He also served as a volunteer fireman for the West Newton Volunteer Fire Department. Traveling was another pasttime he enjoyed. On a sunny Sunday afternoon he would say, “I feel like going for a drive,” gather the family into the car, then drive many of the back roads he had cycled in his youth. The day trip would usually end with ice cream cones for everyone. When the children were old enough to camp, he designed and built a small travel trailer that slept six, bunk bed style, and outfitted it with custom-made storage units and a “camp kitchen in a box.” The family traveled around Lake Michigan, to the Smokies, the Rockies, Philmont Scout Ranch, and Florida. They also spent many weekends exploring the many state parks of Indiana. When Olas retired in 1980, he and Hilda continued to travel throughout the United States in their VW and Dodge campers for many years and visited children and grandchildren in Wisconsin and Texas. When not traveling, Olas frequently spent time in his workshop, completing many woodworking projects for family, friends, customers, and the Plainfield United Methodist Church where he was a long time member. Also in retirement he and Hilda became Master Gardeners. They created a wildlife refuge on two acres of their property and enjoyed observing their wild visitors. They also used this retreat to host many wiener roasts and campouts for family members, Girl Scout troops, and church youth groups. With their gardening skills they maintained a ½ acre vegetable garden and many flower beds. These gardens made a special setting for many family reunions and their 60th wedding anniversary celebration. Olas was also an occasional cook, making the best potato salad, ham salad, and cheeseburgers, to the delight of his family. Olas is preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Jean O'Connor and his siblings Mary Ann Cauble, and James and Daniel Hubbs. He is survived by his wife of 74 years Hilda, son Olas “Skip” (Marsha) Hubbs of Mooresville, and daughters Linda (Daniel) Munger of Round Rock, Texas and Beverly Gaalema of Appleton, Wisconsin; grandchildren Olas “Chip” (Staci) Hubbs, of Marysville, OH, Andrew Hubbs, Indianapolis, James (Deanna) Munger of Austin, TX, William Munger, of Round Rock, TX, Ted (Erika) Bush of Reston, VA, and Susan Bush of Chicago, IL; and great grandchildren Abbey, Gracie, Peyton, and Haley Hubbs, Zachary and Samuel Munger, and Julian Bush. A private burial was held at Fairfield Friends Cemetery in Camby, Indiana on Thursday January 24, 2013. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013 in the Plainfield United Methodist Church, where friends may call on Saturday from 10:00 am until service time at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the church.