Mass of Christian Burial was on Monday, Sept. 9, at 10:30 a.,., at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus, with Father Patrick Harrison celebrating the Mass. Visitation was on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. vigil service at Gass Haney Funeral Home. Visitation continued on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment with military honors was on Monday at 1:30 p.m., at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Humphrey, Neb.

Jim was born on Aug. 21, 1947, to Elmer and Leona (Gross) Babel in Columbus, Nebraska. He attended Platte Center High School and later transferred to Humphrey Public High School where he graduated in 1965. He served in the United States Army from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1968.

Jim married Vida Jean Heesacker on Feb. 5, 1977, and made their home in Columbus. Together they had two children, Derek and Katrina. Granddaughter Brittany joined the family in 1992. Jim was employed at D & L and later worked at Cargill in Schuyler until he retired in 2013.

Jim had a great will to travel. He made sure his family made it coast to coast over the years. His favorite hobbies included watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers, fishing with lifelong friends and family, camping at many lakes, stargazing and always tracking when the next full moon would happen. He was an avid bowler and made many lifelong friends through the sport. He was a simple man who loved nature. Jim especially had a love of birds, favoring bald eagles and cardinals.

Survivors are wife, Vida Jean; Son, Derek and daughter-inlaw Beth Babel; Daughter, Katrina Babel (Tracy Willard);

Granddaughter, Brittany Bader all of Columbus.

Brother, Robert Babel of Omaha, Neb.

Sister-in-law, Barb Babel of Schuyler, Neb.

Brothers-in-law and Sistersin- law: Virgil (Maggie) Heesacker of Columbus Viann Diedrich of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Vincent (Kathy) Heesacker of Fort Morgan, Colo.

Violet (David) Halley of Belton, Texas Viator Heesacker of Humphrey, Neb.

Victoria Welsh of Columbus Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends Preceded in death by Parents, Elmer and Leona Babel Brothers, Dean Babel and Clark Babel Sister-in-law, Sandy Babel Father-in-law and Mother-inlaw: Victor and Vivian Heesacker Brothers-in-law and sister-inlaw: Virginia (Gerald) Frauendorfer Victor R. Heesacker John Diedrich Dennis Welsh Vira Heesacker Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com