FEBRUARY 2004 OBITUARIES

Lillie Andrus Cart
VILLE PLATTE- Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 29, 2004 at 2 p.m. in Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church in Opelousas for Lillie Andrus Cart, 84, the former Lillie Bell Andrus. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Iota with Rev. Dale Henserling officiating.
Mrs. Cart died at her resident on February 27 after a short illness.
She was a resident of Ville Platte and a native of Iota. She was a retired telephone operator and a nanny.
Surviving is her daughter, Mrs. Billy R. “Joan Bertrand” Miller of Ville Platte.
She was preceded in death by her husband Louis Cart, her parents, Thomas Treaf Andrus and Margaret Doris Laughlin along with brothers Wesley, Newton, Bernice, Clyde and Paul.
Ardoin Funeral Home of Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements.

KAPLAN – Mrs. Hazel Arsement, 83, died at 6:45 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2004 at Kaplan Health Care. Funeral services will be Sunday, February 29, 2004 at 2 p.m. in the Rayne Duhon Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery #2 in Rayne.

CROWLEY – Mr. Paul David Lejeune, 61, died Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at American Legion Hospital in Crowley. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 27 at the Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene located in Ebenezer under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley.

Ada Richard Kibodeaux
PINEVILLE - Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, February 27, at 3 p.m. at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Ada Richard Kibodeaux, 84, who died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.
Interment will be in South Crowley Cemetery. Brother Carl Weatley will officiate.
Survivors include her four daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Leeward Meche of Mire; Ada and Charles Martin of Melville; Rosa and Jerry Credeur of Tioga; Laura and Odie Broussard of Crowley; one sister, Ida Richard of Crowley; 19 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great- grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Kibodeaux; her parents, Simon and Mary Richard; two sons, Floyd Jr. and Arthur Lee Kibodeaux, one daughter, Ida Lee Kibodeaux; two sisters, Nola Abshire and Effie Navarre, seven brothers, one grandson, Douglas Martin; one granddaughter, Hillary Parsley; two great grandsons, Glen Miller, Jr. and Waddy Faul.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. until service time on Friday.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.

Whitney J. Garrie
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 27, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist in Lyons Point for Whitney J. Garrie, 72, who died Tuesday, February 24, 2004, at his residence in Crowley.
Interment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Lyons Point. Fr. Pousson will officiate at the services.
Survivors include his son, Ronald Garrie of Rayne; two daughters, Patricia Thibodeaux of Rayne; and Tina Magnon of Crowley; two sisters, Eunice Leblanc of Lafayette; and Audrey Abshire of Lake Charles; one brother, Donald Garrie of Crowley; two step-sons; Floyd and Lloyd Mouton both of Lyons Point; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen step-grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Eudia Garrie; his step-son, Dudley Mouton; his brother, Willie Garrie; and three sisters, Wilma Vezina, Lucille Myers, and Winnie Monceaux.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m on Thursday, February 26 and 8 a.m. until service time on Friday.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.

Rufus Roy
Funeral services will be held at a later date for Rufus Roy, 86, who died Saturday, February 21, 2004, at the Crowley Guest House.
Mr. Roy served in the U. S. Army during WWII. He was a native of Iota and a resident of Crowley.
Survivors include two sisters, Daisy Roy Mitchell of Houston and Jeanelle Roy Scobee of Lake Charles; two brothers, Fernan Roy of El Campo, Tx. and George Roy of Chico, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rogene Isabelt Roy; his parents, Leona Fruge and Fernan Roy; and one brother, Francis Roy.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of the arrangements.

Delo Whalen Hebert, Sr.
WELSH - Delo Whalen Hebert, Sr., 66, died Sunday, February 22, 2004 in a local hospital.
He has been a resident of Welsh for the past 16 years, coming from Iota. Mr. Hebert was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morse, La. He served 16 years in the Army, and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 24 years. He was the Post Commander of American Legion Post #371. Mr. Hebert proudly served in Vietnam in defense of his country, and his grandchildren were the joy of his life.
Survivors include his loving wife Leora Hebert of Welsh; his son, Delo Hebert, Jr. and wife Marsha of Morse; one step-son, Bryant Bertrand of Welsh; two daughters, Sandy Schexnider and husband Nathan of Iowa, and Faynette Hebert of Lake Charles; five step-daughters, Ramona Marceaux and husband Bobby of Lafayette, Renee Bertrand of Welsh, Renell Sonnier and husband Ronnie of Jennings, Rhonda Breaux of Welsh, and Roxanne Citizen of Welsh; two brothers, Curney Hebert and wife Girthalou of Iota and Harvey Hebert and wife Annabelle of Egan; two sisters, Brenda Gravot and husband Joe of Iota and Joyce “Tot” Leger of Iota; seventeen grandchildren, Melody, Delo, III, Patrick, Blake, Jada, Cassie, Dorian, Mike, Hannah, Amber, Brandon, Ronnie, Jr., Keisha, Summer, Jade, Chasity, and Cameron.
His funeral will be held Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at 9 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Morse. The Rev. Donald Pousson will officiate. A committal service will follow in Hanks Cemetery in Morse under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Welsh. Visitation was held Tuesday at the funeral home in Welsh, with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.mem.com.

Euna Blanchard Rasberry
IOTA - Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21, at 11 a.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Iota for Euna Blanchard Rasberry, 76, who died Wednesday, February 18, 2004, at her residence.
Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Iota. Fr. David Broussard, will officiate at the services.
Mrs. Rasberry was a graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont with a Bachelors Degree in Education and was a school teacher having taught in Iota and Texas. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #371 of Iota and served as Mayor of the town of Iota from 1982 to 1986.
Survivors include her husband, Amos Rasberry,Jr., of Iota; one daughter, Bridget R. Leon and her husband Dennis of Denton Tx.; one son, Brad Rasberry of Orange, Tx.; two sisters, Rosie Fournerat and her husband Cecil of Basile; Vicki Kneisley and her husband Bob of Honolulu; one brother, James D. Blanchard and his wife Joyce of Alto, NM; one grandson, Casey Lane Rasberry of Seattle; and several nieces and nephews residing in Louisiana, Texas and Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Celestine Lebeouf Blanchard; one brother, Euell “Bob” Blanchard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Friday, February 20 from 12:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 21 from 8 a.m. until service time on Thursday.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Iota is in charge of arrangements.

Henry Lejeune
ESTHERWOOD - Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, February 26, at 2 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Estherwood for Henry Lejeune, 89, who died Tuesday, February 24, 2004, at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
The Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Wednesday by his son Deacon Joseph Lejeune. Interment will be in Estherwood Cemetery. Fr. Thomas Habetz will officiate at the services and will be assisted by Deacon Lejune.
Mr. Lejeune was a lifelong resident of Estherwood and a member of the St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Estherwood.
Survivors include six sons, Samuel Lejeune, Patrick Lejeune, Peter Lejeune and Joseph Lejeune all of Estherwood; James Lejeune of Jennings; and Michael Lejeune of Crowley; two daughters, Mary Romero of Estherwood and Frances Henderson of Iota; 37 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerasin and Orelia Clement Lejeune; his wife, Delia Meche Lejeune; one daughter, Shirley Ann Johnson and two grandsons, William Lejeune and John Lejeune.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Wednesday, February 25 from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. service time on Thursday, February 26.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley is in charge of arrangements.

Clara Fontenot Cormier
CROWLEY - Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Chapel in Crowley for Clara Fontenot Cormier, 68, who died on Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 at Morris Lahasky Rehabilitation Nursing Center in Erath.
Deacon Rodless Leleux will be officiating for the services.
Visitation were observed Saturday, Feb. 14, from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m and will continue Sunday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. until time of services.
Burial will be in the Old Crowley Cemetery.
Survivors include her daughters: Alice Desormeaux and her husband, Joseph, of Crowley and Rebecca Flores and her husband, Erick, of Crowley; three sons: Martin Cormier and his wife, Dianna, of Gueydan, Michael Cormier and his wife, Diane, of Crowley and Mitchell Cormier of Crowley; three sisters: Lovenia Thibodeaux of Rayne, Mamie Stoute of Crowley and Helen Trahan of Crowley; one brother, Bernice Fontenot of Crowley; 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Mikezile Cormier; two brothers, Percy and Murphy Fontenot and one sister, Claire Hoffpauir.
The family would like to thank Acadian Ambulance, American Legion Emergency Room, Our Lady of Lourdes Intensive Care Unit, Lafayette General Rehabilitation Unit, Morris Lahasky Rehabilitation Nursing Center and Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley are being entrusted with the arrangements.

Horace Ray Smith
HESSMER- Funeral services will be held Wednesday February 25, at 10 a.m. at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Horace Ray Smith, 51, who died Sunday, February 23, 2004, at his residence in Hessmer.
Interment will be in Maxie Cemetery. Br. Ernest Toepfer will be officiating.
Survivors include his mother, Ray Rilda Coon of Hessmer; one brother, Todd Girardeau of Hessmer; three sisters, Laura Cradeur of Eunice, Celenia Walker of Maxie; and Claire Bertinot of Church Point; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Horace Smith; and one sister Roxane Smith.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24 and 8 a.m. service time on Wednesday, February 25.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.

Edna “Mae” Zaunbrecher
Funeral services were held Monday February 23, 2004 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church for Edna T. “Mae” Zaunbrecher, who died Saturday February 21, 2004 at Abbeville General Hospital.
Survivors include four sisters Marjorie Theriot of Rayne, Dorothy T. Rhotenberry of Rayne, Myrtle T. Brooks of Lafayette, and Annie T. Smith of The Village, Fla.
Mrs. Mae was preceded in death by her husband Hubert Zaunbrecher, her parents Arthur and Edna Belliveau Theriot,and three brothers Arthur Jr., Roland A., and Louis Theriot.
She was a member of the Ladies Altar Society, and the Catholic Daughters of America.
Visitation was Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. until services. A Rosary was recited Sunday at 7 p.m.

DUSON – Mr. Andrus (Andy) Arceneaux, Sr., 78, died Friday, February 20, 2004 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 23 at St. Joseph Church in Rayne. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetary #2 under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home or Rayne.

CHURCH POINT – Mr. Edwin Savoy, 65, died Thursday, February 19, 2004 at Baton Rouge General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24 at Guidry Funeral Home in Church Point. Burial will be in Msgr. Bienvenue Cemetery in Church Point under the direction of Guidry Funeral Home of Church Point.

RICHARD – Mrs. Esteve (Elise Daigle) Boone, 89, died Wednesday, February 18,, 2004 in Church Point. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 20 at St Edwards Catholic Church in Richard. Burial will be in the St. Edwards Cemetery in Richard.under the direction of Guidry Funeral Home of Church Point.

Frank Gums
Funeral services were held February 19, 2004 at an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church for Frank Gums, 63, who died February 17, at Gueydan Memorial Guest Home. Burial will take place in Gueydan Cemetery with Rev. Mitchell Guidry officiating.
Mr. Gums graduated from J.C. Ross High School in Crowley. He also graduated from Harvard University and later attended Hannias Nursing School and obtained his degree as a Registered Nurse.
He was employed b y Elmira Jeffries Memorial Nursing Home as administrator for 23 years. He had also served in the United States Army Hospital in Augsburg, Germany as as supervisor of operations. He also served the 21st Evacuation Hospital in Germany.
He is survived by a brother, Clyde Gums, Sr. and a sister-in-law, Orelia Gums, of Gueydan; three sisters, Carrie Harmon, Florene Boudreaux and her husband, Adam Boudreaux and Helen Reed and her husband, Wardell Reed, all of Crowley; two special Rachael Vallery, both of Gueydan, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, McKinley Gums and the former Pauline Hebert, two brothers and two sisters.
All funeral arrangements were conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Gueydan.

Elmer H. “Hugh” Jeffers
EBENEZER - Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, February 20, at 1 p.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Elmer H. Jeffers, 76, who died Tuesday, February 17, 2004, at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
Interment will be in Ebenezer Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Floyd will officiate at the services.
Mr. Jeffers was a lifelong resident of Ebenezer, a member of the U. S. Navy served during World War II and a retired farmer.
Survivors include four sons, Edwin T. Jeffers and his wife Charlotte of Crowley; Elmer H. Jeffers, Jr. and his wife Kay of Lamarque, Tx.; Nolan Shane Jeffers of Orlando, Fla.; and Clinton Troy Jeffers of Crowley; three sisters, Joann Richey of Egan; Margie Mae Jeffers of Crowley; and Sandra J. Cormier of Roanoke, Va.; and five grandchildren, Wendell Jeffers, Jason Jeffers, Dori Jeffers, Ryan Jeffers, and Shanna Jeffers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer E. and Wilma Robinson Jeffers; and one sister, Gwendolyn “Pie “ Doucet.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 and on Friday 8 a.m. until service time on Thursday.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley is in charge of arrangements.

IOTA – Junis Semien “Papa June”, 78, died Tuesday, February 17, 2004. Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, February 19 at St. Joseph Church. Burial will be in the church cementary under the direction of Ardoin’s Funeral Home.

Anton Habetz
RAYNE - Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, at 10 a.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Leo IV Catholic Church for Anton Habetz, 78, who died on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004 at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Interment was held in the St. Leo IV Cemetery.
A rosary was recited at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13.
The Celebrant and Homilist Rev. Thomas Habetz, son of Mr. Habetz, officiated for the services.
The family requested that the visiting hours be observed from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and from 7 a.m. until time of services.
Readers were Sylvester Leonards, his godchild. Altar servers were John Raymond, Trent Leonards, Lance Habetz and Jacob Smith.
Visitation were observed Saturday, Feb. 14, from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m and will continue Sunday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. until time of services.
At Graveside services Brian Gary played the trumpet.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Joselynn Eve LeLeux Habetz, of Roberts Cove; 10 children and there spouses: Josette Dupuis and husband, Ray, of Roberts Cove; Monica Miller and husband, Charles, of Centerburg, Ohio; Martin Habetz and wife, Jennifer, of Roberts Cove; Nicholas Habetz and wife, Cindy, of Crowley; Barbara H. Cramer, of Crowley; Dennis Habetz and wife, Toni, of Roberts Cove; Dewayne Habetz, of Lake Charles; Alois Habetz and wife, Gaylin, of Iowa; Fr. Thomas Habetz, a priest of Diocese of Lafayette; Hilary Habetz, of Roberts Cove; 17 grandchildren; two brothers: Joseph Habetz, of Louraville and William Habetz and wife, Agnes, of Ragley; five sisters: Clara Habetz, of Roberts Cove; Sr. Marie Habetz CDP, of San Antonio, Tx.; Cecilia Zaunbrecher, of Crowley; Bernardine Leonards and husband, Blaise, of Mamou and Bertha Owen, of Saltillo, Mexico.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph William and Franziska Theunissen Habetz; three brothers: Pirmin H. Habetz, Msgr. Daniel Habetz and Martin Habetz; one sister, Hilda Habetz; one grandchild, Amanada C. Dupuis and one godchild, Gregory Habetz.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Brierre and his staff, Dr. Mulraj Katira and his staff, Acadian Home Health, and nursing staff and Ambrose Foreman at American Legion Hospital.
Pallbearers were six of his seven sons: Martin, Nick, Dennis, Dewayne, Alois and Hilary Habetz. Honorary pallbearers were Connie Habetz, Bruno Habetz and Eileen Own Habetz, godchildren of Mr. Habtez.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Rayne were entrusted with the arrangements.

Mason J. Hanks
BEAUMONT, Tx. - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at 1 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Cathedral for Mason J. Hanks, 95, of Beaumont, who died on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the mortuary with a Christian Vigil being held at 7 p.m.
Survivors include his daughters: Verdie Petkovsek and Deanna Fowler of Beaumont; grandchildren, Martin Hughes Petkovsek, Jr. and Rex A. Fowler of Beaumont; Paula Petkovsek Galbraith and her husband, Timothy, of San Diego, Calif. and Christopher C. Fowler and his wife, Rose Mary, of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Dylan and Blakeley Galbraith and Grant S. Fowler.
Mason was one of four brothers who worked as firemen in Crowley during the 1930’s and 40’s. During WWII, he moved his family to Orange, Tx. where he worked as an electrician at the Consolidated Steel Shipyard. In 1945, he moved to Beaumont and worked for the City of Beaumont. He retired as an electrical foreman in 1973. Mason was the foreman over crews that put up Christmas lights in downtown Beaumont and at the Gaylynn Center for years. He also operated the air conditioning for the theater productions at City Hall and Harvest Club events. He was an electrical foreman at the South Texas State Fairgrounds each fall. He was loved and trusted by all who came to know him.
Broussard’s Mortuary of Beaumont, Tx. are being entrusted with the arrangements.

Ula Constantine Ogle
RAYNE - Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at 10 a.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel for Ula Constantine, 71, who died on Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Fr. Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church will officiate for the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Rayne.
Visitation will be observed from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 and on Monday from 8 a.m. until time of services. A rosary will be recited at the funeral home Sunday.
Survivors include her two sons: Mitchell Ogle of Lafayette and Keith Randall Ogle of Rayne; one brother: Wilfred Constantine of Rayne; three sisters: Agnes Dupont of St. Martinville, Helen Saltzman of Lafayette and Ida Hayes of Sulphur; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Theophile and Ella Boudreaux Constantine; a daughter, Denise Ogle and two brothers: Wilsie Constantine and Dennis Broussard.
Mrs. Ogle worked for several years as a customer service representative at the Sears Service Center in Scott. She later worked for Acadia Lumber Yard in Crowley and as a hostess for Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Levodie Joseph “Jinx” Conner
LAKE CHARLES - Graveside services will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery for Levodie Joseph “Jinx” Conner, 88, who died on Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 at his residence.
A special presentation will be given by Robert Prejean.
Rev. Keith Pellerin will officiate the services.
Reception to follow services at Piccadilly on Ryan Street in Lake Charles.
Pallbears will be Patrick Stamm, James Spears, Daniel and Chad Suydam, Andrew Ogea and Kenneth Prejean.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Thibodeaux Conner; five children: Willie Mae Guidry and her husband, Ronald Paul, of Morse; Gladys “Blue” Ogea of Big Lake; Carolyn Schexnayder of Lake Charles; Anita Spears and her husband, James, of Lake Charles and Sgt. Patrick M. Stamm stationed at Fort Sill, Okla.; six grandchildren: Hank Guidry of Havana, Fla., Kirk Guidry of Lafayette, Ruby Bertrand and her husband, Randy, of Morse; Andy Ogea of Lake Charles; John Earl Ogea and his wife, Debra, of Sweet Lake; Greg Ogea and his wife, Missy, of Big Lake; Chad Stewart and Daniel Morgan Joseph Suydam of Lake Charles; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Edovic and Alcee Conner and one sister: Laura Bell C. Benoit.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby LeBleu Conner; one son: Edward “Bubba” Stamm; his parents, Adlar and Edmonia McLean Conner; four sisters: Hortense C. Eagleson, Pauline C. Thibodeaux, Louella C. Clark, and Estell C. Labry and one brother: Octave Conner.
Mr. Conner was born on Feb. 6, 1916 in Lake Arthur and had lived in Lake Charles for the past 12 years. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Medical Corpsman during WWII. Mr. Conner was employed by the Coastal Hunting Club of Sweet Lake for 33 years. He retired in 1987. Mr. Conner was a member of American Legion Post #15 in Crowley.
Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles was entrusted with the arrangements.

Clodith Broussard Thibodeaux
VINTON - Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at 10 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vinton for Clodith Broussard Thibodeaux, 91, of Vinton who died on Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 in the High Hope Care Center in Sulphur.
Visitation hours will be at the Hixson Funeral Home, 1420 Fancher Street in Vinton Sunday, Feb. 15 from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. and on Monday, Feb. 16 from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
A rosary will be recited in the funeral home on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
Burial will be in the Mimosa Pines Garden of Memories in Carlyss under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home.
Rev. Susil Fernando will officiate the services.
Mrs. Thibodeaux was born in Maurice on July 31, 1912 to Odelon and Claudia Broussard. She moved to Vinton ten years ago from Lyons Point. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and of the Catholic Daughters of America.
Survivors include her one son, Paul Thibodeaux and his wife, Joyce, of Vinton; three daughters: Barbara Kibodeaux and her husband, Lucian, of Vinton; Virginia Kibodeaux and her husband, Thomas, of West Columbia, Tx. and Lena LeBlanc and her husband, Johnny, of Angleton, Tx.; one brother, Fernand Broussard of Kaplan; 21 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Aldes Thibodeaux and sister, Clotile Thibodeaux, who died 12 hours after her.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.mem.com.
Pallbearers will be nine of her great-grandchildren.
Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Clothilde Thibodeaux
MORSE - Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at 2 p.m. at St. John the Baptiste in Lyons Point for Ms. Clothilde Thibodeaux, 86, who died on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004 at the American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Rev. Pousson will officiate the services. The visitation will be observed on Monday, Feb. 16 until 10 p.m., and on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until service time.
Rosary will be held Monday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.
Burial will be in the Hanks Cemetery.
Survivors include five sons: Virgil “Johnny” Thibodeaux and his wife, Shirleen, of Lyons Point; Ray A. Thibodeaux and his wife, Eva, of Egan; Earl Thibodeaux and his wife, Dianna, of Carlyss; Terry M. Thibodeaux and his wife, Paula, of Huntsville, Tx. and Joey Thibodeaux and his wife, Wendy, of Columbia; three daughters: Belle Kibodeaux of Angleton, Tx.; Marie T. Smith and her husband, J. P., of Jennings and Sally T. Courville and her husband, Roy J., of Lafayette; one brother, Ferdnand Broussard of Kaplan; 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice P. Thibodeaux; her parents, Odillon and Claudia Broussard; three brothers; two sisters; one grandson, Kyle M. Kibodeaux and a son-in-law, Ferdie Kibodeaux.
Ms. Thibodeaux was a member of the St. John the Baptiste Alter Society for over 60 years.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley was entrusted with the arrangements.

MAMOU - Rosa Belle T. Fisher, of Spokane, WA. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 at Tee-Mamou Cemetery - Mausoleum. Interment will be in the Tee-Mamou Cemetery - Mausoleum. Arrangements have been entrusted to Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Jennings.

RAYNE – Joseph Istre, 91, died Thursday, February 12, 2004 at his residence in Rayne. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 15 at St. Joesph Church in Rayne. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery #2 under the direction of Fr. Bill Ruskoski. Duhon Funeral Home of Rayne is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Helen Labbe
RICHARD - Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, February 14, at 1 p.m. at St. Edwards Church in Richard for Mary Helen Labbe, 77, who died Thursday, February 12, 2004, at Acadia St. Landry Hospital in Church Point.
Interment will be in St. Edwards Church Cemetery in Richard. Father Paul Thibodeaux officiated the services.
Survivors include her husband, Elridge Labbe of Richard; her son, Robert L. Kidwell of Port Tabacco, Md; her daughter, Diane Howard of Church Point; her sister Rose Chase of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; and her eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Alice Nutwell; her first husband, Irving Wright Kidwell; one son, Steven Wright Kidwell; and seven sisters and two brothers.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday.
Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point is in charge of arrangements.

DUSON – Lena Marie Richard, 91, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004 at Our Lady of the Oaks Nursing Home in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at St. Theresa Church in Duson. Burial will be at St. Theresa Cementary under the direction of Fr. Leonard. The rosary will be Friday Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Theresa Life Center.

Marie Magnon
Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Marie Magnon, 70, who died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Interment will be in Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery in Indian Bayou. Brother Josh Smith will officiate at the services.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Dallana and Ricky Mouton of Crowley; two sisters, Caudrey Monceaux and Eula Mae Gaspard both of Kaplan; and three grandchildren, Stacey Mouton, Trent Mouton and Kayla Mouton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Osen Magnon, Jr.; her parents, Rene and Aurelia Touchet; two brothers, Hypolite and Linus Touchet; and two sisters Lena Frith and Eve Meaux.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 until 10:00. Also, on Thursday, Feb. 12 starting at 8:00 and lasting until service time on Thursday.
Duhon Funeral Home in Crowley will be in charge of the arrangements.

Shantell L. Percival
IOTA- Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 14, 2004 at 1 p.m. in Progressive Baptist Church of Iota for Mrs. Shantell Lynn Percival, 23, who died Sunday, February 8, 2004 at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in Lake Charles. Wake services will be Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Iota Cemetery. Rev. Lewis Dugar and Rev. Harry Withers will officiate at the services.
Survivors include her mother Mary Spencer of Crowley; her father Gregory Spencer, Sr. of Iota; her husband Leroy Percival of Iota; stepfather Timothy Goudeaux of Crowley; one brother, Gregory Spencer, Jr. of Crowley; two sisters, Loshonda Spencer of Crowley and Gregetta Spencer of Crowley and grandparents, Sarah Joseph of San Bernadino, Ca. and Annie Belle Vallier of Ville Platte.
Owens Thomas Funeral Home, Crowley branch is in charge of arrangements.

Pansy Kibodeaux Fontenot
TEXAS CITY, TX - Graveside services will be held Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. at North Hanks Cemetary in Crowley for Pansy Kibodeaux Fontenot, 79, who died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at Gulf Health Care Nursing Home in Texas City, TX. Rev. Ernest Toepher will be officiating for the service.
Survivors include her husband, Lou Allen Fontenot of Bacliff, TX; one daughter, Bonnie F. Munsey of Houston; three sons, Donald Fontenot of Brenham, TX, Ronald Fontenot of Bacliff, TX and Kenneth Fontenot of Brenham, TX; one sister, Daisy K. King of Crowley; one brother, Bobby Kibodeaux of Egan; ten grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmond and Viola Robinson Kibodeaux; three brothers, Edward, Morris and Wallace Kibodeaux; and one sister Myrtle K. Nolan.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley will be in charge of the arrangements.

CHURCH POINT – Mrs. Ewell Daigle, 73, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004 at Lafayette General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church cementery under the direction of Guidry Funeral Home of Church Point.

CHURCH POINT - L. B. “Bea” Billeaudeaux, 82, of Church Point died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Acadia St. Landry Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be in the church Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Guidry Funeral Home.

RICHARD - Harry LeJeune, 77, of Richard died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004, at Opelousas General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at St. Edwards Catholic Church. Interment will be in the St. Edwards Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Guidry Funeral Home.

RAYNE – Joe Duplechan, 87, died at 6:04 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004 at his home in Rayne. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home in Rayne.

MIRE – Nelson Johnson, 34, of Rayne, died suddenly on Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 in Scott. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. at Assumption Church in Mire. Burial was in the church cemetery under the direction of Dhon Funeral Home in Rayne.

Thelma Dubus Landry
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church for Thelma Dubus Landry, 83, who died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004 at 12:40 p.m. at Lafayette General Medical Center.
Fr. Nicky Trahan will officiate for the services. A rosary was prayed Monday at 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Entombment will be in the Woodlawn Mausoleum.
The family request that visiting hours be observed Monday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to service time.
Survivors include one son, Mark Landry and his wife Karen of Lafayette; two granddaughters, Megan and Sarah Landry, both of Lafayette; and one sister, Ruby D. Bossley of Crowley.
Her husband, Bennett J. Landry Jr., her parents, Wilton and Ella Patin Dubus, and one sister, Hazel D. Lyons, preceded Mrs. Landry in death.
Mrs. Landry was a lifelong resident of Crowley and shared a summer home with her late husband in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Pallbearers will be Van Landry, John T. Landry, Jerry Dronet, Tony Morrow, Frankie Harris and Peter John.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F in Crowley, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Don Lewis Richard
Funeral services for Don Lewis Richard, 62, of Crowley, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb, 3, 2004, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Crowley with Fr. Gary Schexnayder, pastor, officiating. Mr. Richard died at 6:10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Crowley.
Mr. Richard was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as a medic, and retired from Halliburton after 23 years of service as a mechanical designer.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Hamil Richard of Crowley; two sons, Derek Lee Richard and his wife Amanda of Houston, and Ryan William richard and his wife Nicole of Sugar Land, Texas; two sisters, Barbara “Bobbie” and her husband Joe Badon of Crowley and Linda and her husband Clyde “Shoe String” Martin of Crowley; one grandson, Chase Matthew Richard.. He also had many loving nieces and nephews.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his three brothers-in-law, Joe Badon, Shoe String Martin and Larry Alexander.
Pallbearers are Richard Badon, Jack Alexander, Larry Spaetgens, Vernon Joubert, Jay Williams and Shawn Montgomery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mathew and Florence Hartwell Richard.
Visitation will be observed at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley fro 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, and from 8 a.m. until service time Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004.
The rosary will be prayed Monday evening at 6:30 p.m.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Ave. F. Crowley, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

RAYNE – Hilman Lyons, 69, died suddenly on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 at his home in Rayne. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne. Burial will be in Arceneaux Cemetery in the rural Rayne/Mire area.

GUEYDAN – Hewitt Paul Simon, 76, died at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at his residence in Gueydan. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Matthews and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Gueydan. Burial will be in the Gueydan Cemetery under the direction of Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Gueydan.

Kenneth Ray Joseph
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Crowley for Kenneth Ray Joseph, 47, who died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
Visitation will be observed Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be in the West Crowley Cemetery with Fr. Richard Sadlier officiating.
He is survived by his mother, Laura Joseph of Crowley; his spouse, Marilyn Harrison of Crowley; and a sister, Betty Givens of Crowley.
He is preceded in death by his father, Rogers Joseph Jr.
Owens-Thomas Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of the arrangements.

RAYNE – August “Ceyro” J. Richard, 61, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004. Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery #2 under the direction of Gossen Funeral Home.

Evelyn Domingue Hoffpauir
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley for Evelyn Domingue Hoffpauir, 85, who died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004 at 12:55 a.m. at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Fr. Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, will officiate for the services.
A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
The family request visiting hours be observed Thursday from 3:30 to 10 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to service time.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Michael P. Hoffpauir and his wife Coreada of Rayne; one sister, Verna D. Patin of Baton; one brother, Johnny Domingue of Groves, Texas; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Hoffpauir was preceded in death by her husband, Carl M. Hoffpauir; one grandson, Michael A. Hoffpauir; one sister, Dorothy D. Leteff; three brothers, Clarence, Leroy and Chester Domingue.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Howard F. Duson
Memorial services for Howard F. Duson, 72, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Crowley. A long time fixture of Crowley, Mr. Duson passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday evening, Feb. 1, 2004.
Burial will be held in the Old Crowley Cemetery with Fr. Gary Schexnayder, pastor, officiating.
A rosary will be recited at the Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Visitation will be observed Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service.
In the months preceding his death, Mr. Duson had received immense pleasure from writing his biweekly column for The Crowley Post-Signal entitled, “In the Eyes of a Living Library.”
As the grandson and nephew, respectively, of Acadia Parish founders, W.W. Duson and C.C. Duson, Howard had a penchant for the history associated with Acadia Parish and Southwest Louisiana, in some cases, funny memories of past local events that may have otherwise been forgotten.
Saying often that he never met a stranger he was willing to greet as an old friend, Howard had friends from virtually every walk of life. Friends and family members gain great comfort in the knowledge that Howard will benefit from his unyielding Catholic faith.
His parents, Louise Farley and Henry Thayer Duson, preceded Mr. Duson in death.
Surviving family members are his wife, Mrs. Howard F. (Virginia Jakeman) Duson of Crowley; a son, Howard Farley Duson Jr. of West Lake Village, Calif.; and a grandson, Colton Thayer Duson.
Pallbearers will include Tim Gossen, Robert Stutes, Joe B. Stoma, Harold Gonzales, Jim Broussard, L.C. Melkior, Mike McBride and Dr. Cason dela Houssaye.
Mr. Duson will be sadly missed by his friends and family.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F in Crowley, has been entrusted with the funeral proceedings.

Alida Leger Lavergne
Funeral services for Alida Leger Lavergne, 95, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Crowley with Fr. Gary Schexnayder, pastor, officiating.
Mrs. Lavergne died at 11:40 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004 at Tremont Nursing Center.
Burial will be in the Gueydan Cemetery.
She is survived by two sons, Sidney Lavergne of New Caney, Texas and E.J. Lavergne of Friendswood, Texas; a daughter, Mabel Dubois of Houston; two brothers, Alphe Leger and Clarence Leger, both of Gueydan; a sister, Ida Bertrand of Crowley; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Evitia Lavergne; a daughter, Neomie Guidry; and two grandsons, Dean Guidry and Paul Dubois.
Visitation was observed Tuesday from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. and will be from 8 a.m. until the service time on Wednesday.
A rosary was said at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F in Crowley, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

ALABAMA – George Parker, 63, of Dothan, Ala., formerly of Crowley, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 at his residence. Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 23, in Dothan, Ala.