Robert Eugene Mhire

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Robert Eugene Mhire, 85, was called home to be with our heavenly father and savior on April 5, 2017. Robert was born on December 8, 1931, to Nelson “Bick” Mhire and Angeline Miller Mhire. Robert was a longtime resident of Grand Chenier, Louisiana. He relocated to Welsh, Louisiana in the early 1990’s where he enjoyed working on his farm raising cattle, drinking coffee at the area businesses, and frequenting Cajun Tales for lunch. At an early age, Robert ended his educational pursuit to assist his family in the workforce. He was employed by Crain Brothers, Inc. holding numerous positions for nearly 10 years. In 1958 he joined Rockefeller Refuge as a Game Warden and retired in 1988 as the Refuge Supervisor. Robert was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #9281, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, and the American Quarter Horse Association. He was known for his vivid memories and colorful stories of the long cattle drives he took part in across the Gulf Coast, trips with his grandfather H.A. Miller to Chenier Au Tigre, the many antics at the old hunting shack on Long Island near the Superior Bridge, and his adventures as a game warden. Robert enjoyed hunting deer, water fowl and alligators, trapping, building mud boats and raising cattle. But most of all, he loved being with his family, especially chauffeuring his grandchildren across the states to numerous rodeos and livestock shows.

Left behind to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 63 years Ruby (Nunez) Mhire of Welsh, Louisiana; his 3 children, Robby Mhire of Welsh, Louisiana; Janna Kay Baccigalopi (Gary) of Grand Lake, Louisiana and Mary Hebert (Brandon) of Bell City, Louisiana; his daughter at heart, Alice Guillory (Danny) of Lake Charles; 8

Grandchildren, Robert “Bobby”, Alicia (Partner Casey Budge), Danica, and Callie Mhire; Toni Sibille (Cody), Shylyn Nunez; Brandi Bell (Keith) and Barrett Hebert (Amelia); 11 great grandchildren, Kinsley, Kiley, and Kutter Sibille; Mason and Luke Mhire; Charlee and Rylan Bell; Ella and Kase Mhire; Emma Mhire and Averie Olga-Marie McFarland; his Aunt Janette Bates of Orange, Texas, his niece, Lena Belle Miller Peloquin, as well as numerous cousins and many close loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 infant siblings, his sister Olga Marie Mhire, in-laws, Jeff and Alice Nunez, brother-in-law, Ray Nunez and his son-in-law, Anthony “Pazoo” Nunez.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lacassine, Louisiana on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Roland Vaughn and Rev. Rojo A. Palatty Koonathan officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary recited at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Robert’s final resting place will be in the Lacassine Catholic Cemetery in Lacassine, Louisiana.

Robert’s family would like to extend their sincerest and heartfelt thanks to his many doctors and medical providers including, but not limited to, Evangeline Home Health, Dr. Craig V. Broussard, Acadian Ambulance Service, Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care, and especially his in home caregiver, Gwen Chapel and her fill-in caregiver Darla Kirkland (known to him as Aunt Bea).