Earl Babineaux

New Iberia - Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, October 20, 2010 , at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia , for Henry 'Earl' Babineaux, 86 who died Sunday, October 17, 2010 in New Iberia . Rev. Gary Schexnayder will officiate. Earl Babineaux was born in Rayne , LA on January 17, 1924 to Gabriel Remi and Olida Arceneaux Babineaux. While growing up in New Iberia , he attended Catholic High, formerly known as St. Peters College until he graduated in 1941. He then attended Louisiana State University . He enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a fighter pilot during World War II. Earls working years included directional drilling in the oil industry, car sales and over 20 years with Iberia Bank. He retired in 1994. He donated his time freely to many civic organizations. Over the years he served as president or chairman of the United Way , Community Concert, Red Cross and Mental Health. In addition, he served as a board member of the Iberia Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, and the Iberia Parish School Board. He later gave his time to SCORE, a group of retired executives who advised small business owners or those considering starting their own companies. After the age of 80, he volunteered to work with Hospice. Golf and bridge were his favorite recreations. Earl is survived by his wife of ten years, Jessamine Musson Babineaux. He is also survived by his three daughters. By Barbara Mergist and her husband Tony; her two children Natalie Cross-Mesko and her husband Robert and their child Vivienne; and Casy Cross, his wife Dr. Stacy Hoffman-Cross and their son Tristan; and step son Chad Mergist and his children Dylan and Tanner. By Beryl Duck and husband Charles; their two daughters Charlotte Daugherty and her husband Mark, their two children Drew and Katie; and Stephanie ONeill, her husband Patrick and their daughter Meagen. By Beverly Simoneaux and her husband Jimmy; their daughter Janae Guidry, her husband Richard, Jr., and her son Austin Albritton; daughter Jennifer Gunnells and her husband CJ, their children Katherine, Caroline and Jacob; and their son, Jeffery Earl Simoneaux. By his step-daughter Diane Musson and her children Brad Patout; Kelly Patout-Romero and her husband Bart, and their two children Audrey and Jack Romero. He is also survived by his sister Betty Babineaux Kennedy and husband Bill, and by his brother Larry and his wife Beth Clark Babineaux. He was preceded in death by his first wife Marie 'Teezie' Babineaux; by his mother, Olida Arceneaux Babineaux; and by his father and step mother Remy and Edith Servat Babineaux. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic High School , 1301 DeLaSalle Drive , New Iberia , LA 70560 or to the Sisters of Mount Carmel, P.O. Box 1160 , Lacombe , LA 70445-1160 . A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia.Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.