PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Joseph H. "Shorty" Richardet, 79, of Perryville died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002, at Perry County Memorial Hospital.

He was born March 2, 1923, at Perryville, son of John and Elsie Zahner Richardet. He and Trula A. Pingel were married Sept. 13, 1947, at Biehle, Mo.

Richardet had been a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Ken Richardet of Manchester, Mo., Roger Richardet of Perryville, Larry and Terry Richardet of St. Charles, Mo.; three brothers, Elmer and Elbert Richardet of Perryville, Joseph Richardet of Wichita, Kan.; five sisters, Velda Valacorsa of Flint, Mich., Evelyn Biehle of St. Louis, Ruby Marcinkowski of Chester, Ill., Mildred Moonier and Lindola Seabaugh of Perryville; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and an infant brother.

Friends may call at Miller Family Funeral Home from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday, and Monday after 6:30 a.m. A VFW service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kevin Fausz officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, with graveside military honors courtesy of the American Legion.