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Stephen B. Butler passed away at his daughter Jennifer’s home in Ogden, Utah, in the early morning hours of Dec. 1, 2019, after a lengthy illness that turned suddenly.
Steve moved to Estes Park in 1979, where he met the love of his life, Roberta Gordon, who preceded him in death on Feb. 17, 2017. They were together for almost 40 years. They shared a mutual love of anything relating to motorcycles, their family, and the mountains of the Estes Valley.
Steve, who was affectionately known as “Papa” to almost everyone after the births of his four grandchildren, was born in Crowley to Larre and Aloysia (Carter) Butler on June 5, 1951. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Beverly Dominguez.
Papa leaves behind two brothers, LG (Corliss) Butler and Brandon (Kam) Butler; two children, Jennifer (Jeff Sharp) Juneau and John-Reid (Toni) Gordon; his four beloved grandchildren, Brandi (Eric) Maddalena, Michaela (Nic) Maddalena, J’Lyn (Lain) Bernhardt, and Dylan (Logan) Maddalena; his in-laws, Jay, Penny, and niece Wendy Roberts; his two great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Kenny; and his BMW motorcycle and Toyota truck.
A celebration of life will be held in May 2020 by family and close friends. Steve was an admirer, connoisseur, and advocate of Native American art and culture. His family asks that any donations be to any tribe’s scholarship funds, non-profit organizations, or art galleries.
A memorial motorcycle (or car) ride will take place May 5 2020, up Hwy. 7 ending at Eagle Plumes, where a celebration of life will take place. Information will be printed closer to that date.
On Oct. 23, 2019, Shaun Kyle Ortego summoned the Valkyries to carry him home to Valhalla, a place where the bravest warriors who died in battle come back to life and live forever.
Shaun was predeceased by his dad, Norman “Paul” Ortego.
Left to cherish his memory, he is survived by his wife of 11 years, Vicki Ortego of Killeen, Texas; children, Andrew, Emily, Domingo and Alexis, all of Killeen, Texas; Beaulah Ortego of Crowley; his siblings, Paul Ortego Jr. of Deweyville, Texas; Liz Will of Lumberton, Texas; Shirley Rasco of Kerens, Texas; Trish Skellham and Tonya Sonnier, both of Iowa, Louisiana; and, Christy Boutte and Tiffany Bonin, both of Lafayette.
Shaun also left behind many close friends and comrades who wish they could have helped him as much as he helped them in his short 36 years on Earth. We cannot forget mentioning his beloved dog, Mable, who he shared many barbecues with or his three black cats — Jamal, Stevie and Petie.
Shaun joined the Army in 2004 as a skinny kid from a small town. He enlisted as a multiple launch rocket system crew member and within his 10 ½ years of honorable service, he rose to the rank of staff sergeant. Throughout his enlistment, he served a total of four years, two months and 16 days overseas in places such as Korea and Iraq.
Shaun was awarded three Army Commendation Medals for consistent acts of heroism and meritorious service, eight Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Expert Marksmanship Badge with Missile Bar, the Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rocket Launcher Bar and the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver Wheeled Vehicle Clasp.
On Dec. 29, 2014, he medically retired from the Army after serving his country with utmost passion and honor.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for Norris J. Matthews, 73, who died Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 at 10 p.m. at Lafayette Extended Care Hospital.
Mr. Matthews worked 32 years as a Deputy Sheriff for Acadia Parish Sheriffs Department having served as the administrator for 911 office prior to his retirement.
He was a member of the Crowley Senior Citizens Club and International Rice Festival Board of Directors.
He served 12 years as a trustee at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church while a parishioner in Lyons Point.
Fr. Clint Trahan, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, will officiate for the services. The family requests visiting hours Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
A rosary will be recited Sunday at 6 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Mausoleum in Lyons Point.
Norris is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dolores Abshire Matthews of Crowley; one daughter, Monica Matthews of Crowley; one son, Blaine (Tony) Matthews and his wife Karen of Crowley; three sisters, Callie (Steve) Domingue of Crowley, Laura Signorelli of Crowley and Connie (Mike) Taylor of Arnaudville; two brothers, Wilfred (Adolie) Matthews of Crowley and Terry (Sonya) Matthews of Evangeline; five grandchildren, Brittany Ohlenforst, Sloane Matthews, Bryce Taylor, Anne Marie Matthews and Emily Taylor; seven great-grandchildren, Kinsley Patin, Alivia Hardy, Veida Hardy, Jack Wesley Ohlenforst, Lily Ohlenforst, Gabe Ohlenforst, Ariella Shamsie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gabriel and Mable Abshire Matthews and one brother, Lovelace Matthews.
Pallbearers will be Kirt Domingue, Wilson Domingue, Trey Signorelli, Justin Sims, Casey Abshire and Mark Richard. Honorary pallbearer will be Bryce Taylor.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 North Avenue F, Crowley, LA 70526, 337-783-3313.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lyons Point for Cheri Kay Schexnayder, 28, who died Dec. 12, 2019, at 1 p.m. in Morse surrounded by her loving family.
Fr. Neil Pettit, pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, officiated for the services with Fr. Clint Trahan concelebrating.
The family requested visiting hours Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to the 10:30 a.m. A Rosary was recited Friday at 6 p.m. by Deacon Tom Sommers.
Interment was in Hanks Cemetery in Morse.
She is survived by her parents, Bryan and Kayla Boudreaux Schexnayder of Morse; her maternal grandparents, Charlotte and Tony Suire of Crowley; her paternal grandparents, Charlene and Johnnie Schexnayder of Crowley; two aunts, Delana Rouse and husband Roger of Morse, and Brigette Boudreaux of Morse; and three uncles, Lee Schexnayder and wife Sonia of Lyons Point, Dwayne Schexnayder and wife Michelle of Jennings, and Shane Schexnayder of Lyons Point.
Cheri is preceded in death by her sister, Kristen Nicole Schexnayder; and her maternal grandfather, Buford Boudreaux.
Pallbearers were Brigette Boudreaux, Shane Schexnayder, Chase Schexnayder, Tyler Schexnayder, Jesse Schexnayder and Jarrod Simon.
Honorary pallbearers were Delana and Roger Rouse, Seth Rouse, Tel Rouse and Lucie Rouse.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley, 301 N. Avenue F, Crowley, 337-783-3313.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley for Charlotte Luke Hay, 78, who passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, in Huntsville, Texas.
Fr. Brent Smith, parochial vicar of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, will officiate for the services.
The family requests visiting hours Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Charlotte was born the seventh of 13 children on June 24, 1941, in Centerville to John and Eva Luke. She married the love of her life, Dr. R. McIver Hay (Mack) of Crowley, on Aug. 8, 1964. Her three sons, Raymond McIver Hay Jr. (Mackie), Robert Boyd Hay (Boyd), and John Michael Hay, were all born in Louisiana.
Charlotte received her nursing degree at Hotel Dieu in New Orleans, where she first met Mack. She worked as a nurse until giving birth to their first son and chose to leave nursing and devote her life to her family.
As if her three boys were not enough work, Charlotte managed to stay busy pursuing her creative endeavors and is remembered for her enterprising spirit. After raising their sons in Houston they retired to the ranch in Trinity and Charlotte spent her time as a loving and devoted grandmother.
Charlotte was passionate about her faith and dedicated to the beautification of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinity, Texas. She was a founding member of the Ladies’ Guild and used her talents to lead numerous committees for the betterment of the parish.
Charlotte is survived by her three sons Raymond McIver Hay Jr. (Mack) and wife Lisa Thomas Hay, Robert Boyd Hay (Boyd) and wife Julie Gaudet Hay, John Michael Hay and wife Jamie Thoelke Hay; grandchildren Colton Boyd Hay, Tanner McIver Hay, Emily Hay Flowers and husband Kaleb Flowers, Allison Ann Hay, Parker Thomas Hay, Grant James Hay, Charles Walker Hay; 10 siblings, Diane L. Nugent, Elaine L. Young, John R. Luke Jr., Laura L. Zuniga, David E. Luke, Joel F. Luke, Grant P. Luke, Gary Joseph Luke, Malinda L. Yoshida, and Charles Manly Luke; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Maudra Cozzi and husband Mike Cozzi and brother-in-law Stanley L. Hay.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband Dr. R. McIver Hay; parents, John Robert Luke and Eva Simoneaux Luke; brother Phillip Noré Luke; sister Leila Luke Deslatte.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the many friends who loved Charlotte and specifically to Rachael Colston for her years of friendship and dedication to the care and wellbeing of Charlotte.
Donations in her honor may be sent to Catholic Charities.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, Inc., 301 N. Avenue F, Crowley, 337-783-3313.
Crowley Post-Signal
602 N. Parkerson Ave, Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: 337-783-3450
Fax: 337-788-0949
Rayne-Acadian Tribune
108 North Adams, Rayne, LA 70578
Phone: 337-334-3186
Fax: 337-334-8474
Church Point News
c/o The Eunice News, 465 Aymond St., Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: 337-457-3061