Rene "Babe" Morhet

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Rene "Babe" Morhet, Jr., 71, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2009 at his home.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 30, at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Steven Poole officiating. Burial will be at St. Andrew's Cemetery in Christopher. Visitation will be after 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

Memorials may be made to Shriner's Memorial Hospital in St. Louis, in memory of Rene "Babe" Morhet, Jr., and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Babe was born on January 9, 1938, to Rene and Irma (Fioria) Morhet of Christopher. He married Janet Hall on March 14, 1958.

Babe was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He began his career in mine construction and later assumed a position at Amax Coal. After retiring he was then a self-employed electrician.

He is survived by his wife, Janet of Christopher; one daughter, Kim and husband, Bob Kaese of Benton; two sons, Keith and wife, Toni Morhet of Benton, Chris and wife, Danell Morhet of Mulkeytown; three grandsons, Keith II and wife, Kristin Morhet of Louisville, Ky., Jacob Morhet and special friend Tiffany Vercellino of Benton, Jordan Morhet and special friend Megan Basso of Christopher; one granddaughter, Katie Morhet of Mulkeytown; two brothers, Jim Morhet of West Frankfort, Tony Morhet of Springfield; special cousins, John and wife, Teresa Hall of Freeman Spur; and two sisters-in-law, Brenda and husband, Jerry Peak of Raleigh, N.C., and Maxine Hall of Herrin.

He was preceded in death by his son, Stephan John Morhet, and parents, Rene and Irma Morhet.

Babe will be sadly missed by his family, breakfast buddies, friends and everyone that knew him.