September 2000 Obituaries and Death Notices from the Crowley Post Signal:
Marguerite Barousse
Funeral service were held Saturday, September 2, 2000 at 1 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church for Marguerite Veronica Barousse, 88, who died Friday, September 1, 2000 at 7:00 a.m. at Lafayette General Medical Center.
Fr. Rusty Richard officiated for the services. Burial was in Woodlawn Mausoleum.
Survivors include one sister, Rosa Mae B. Savoie of Crowley; numerous nieces and nephews including Theresa Barousse of Crowley, Joey, Walter and David Savoie all of Crowley; great nieces and nephews, Lacey, Caroline and Christine Savoie and Matthew Savoie all of Crowley.
Ms. Barousse was preceded in death by her parents, Laurent and Rosa David Barousse; two sisters, Vivian and Mabel Barousse; seven brothers, Jared, Milton, Laurent, Victor, Austin, Ray and W.B. Barousse.
Pallbearers were Joey, Walter and David Savoie, Mitch Monceaux, Jared Barousse and Homer Ed Barousse.
Ms. Barousse was a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church and the Ladies Altar Society. She worked in retail clothing sales with Heymann’s Department Store and West Brothers here in Crowley.
The family request memorial contributions be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church or St. Michaels School.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Eugene A. Casanova
OPELOUSAS - Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 3, 2000, at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home Chapel for Mrs. Eugene A. Casanova, 69, the former Jennie Presley, who died at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Robert Edgar “Bob” Verret
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2000, at First United Methodist Church in Crowley for Robert Edgar “Bob” Verret, 79, who died at 11:07 Sunday, September 3, 2000, at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
Reverend Bob Hollis, pastor of First United Methodist Church, will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Eva Stewart Verret of Crowley; three daughters, Mrs. Bobby (Cindy) Linscombe, Mrs. Karl (Barbara) Miller and Mrs. Byron (Debra) Marquart, all of Crowley; one brother, Nelson Verret of Victoria, Texas; nine grandchildren, Chris and Ann Lege, Nick, Katie, Matt and Maggie Miller, Addie, Amy and Eric Marquart, all of Crowley; and one great-grandchild, Madeline Miller of Crowley.
Pallbearers will include Bobby Linscombe, Byron Marquart, Karl Miller, Nick Miller, Matt Miller, Chris Lege, Eric Marquart and Larry Lege.
Mr. Verret retired from the L.S.U. Co-operative Extension Service in 1985 after having served 36 years as a 4-H Agent and a county agent for Acadia Parish.
He was a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, having served his country during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Post 15 in Crowley and a member of the Crowley Rotary Club. He was also a member of First United Methodist Men’s Club.
The family requests that memorial donations be made in Mr. Verret’s memory to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or to the church memorial of your choice.
Pallbearers will include Bobby Linscombe, Byron Marquart, Karl Miller, Nick Miller, Matt Miller, Chris Lege, Eric Marquart and Larry Lege.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
Lillian Boulet Atkinson Morgan
SULPHUR - Funeral services for Lillian B. Atkinson Morgan will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2000, in Robison Funeral Home. Burial will be held in Mimosa Pines Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Robison Funeral Home on Tuesday from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services.
Ms. Morgan passed away at her granddaughter’s home on Monday, September 4, 2000, in Carlyss.
A native of Indian Bayou, she had resided in Sulphur for the past 50 years. She was a retired PBX operator for Cities Service Refinery. She was a member of Faith Temple Church in Sulphur. A loving and giving mother and grandmother, she will be greatly missed.
Survivors include two sisters, Annette Bratton of Jennings and Violet LeDoux of Gillis; one brother, Charles Boulet of Bakersfield, Calif.; two daughters, Donna Lyons of Springfield and Sharon Klumpp of Sulphur; four grandchildren, Anja Richard, Courtney Stein, Syndee Brown and Mitchell Williams; and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Dorothy M. Beverly
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2000, at St. Theresa Catholic Church for Mrs. Dorothy M. Beverly, 67, who died on Sunday, September 3, 2000, at Community Rehabilitation Hospital in Lafayette.
Wake services will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2000, at the church.
Father Raymond Carignan, SSJ, will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in Mother of Mercy Cemetery in Rayne.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary J. Keel of Crowley and Lucille Harmon of Crowley; three brothers, Mark Smith of Crowley, Claude Smith of Lafayette and Willie M. Smith of Lake Charles; one sister, Henrietta Griffin of Crowley; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Owens-Thomas Funeral Home of Eunice is in charge of arrangements.
Leace Lewistri
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 9, 2000, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for Mrs. Leatrice Lewis, 49, who died on Saturday, September 2, 2000, at University Medical Center in Lafayette.
Reverend Keith Matthew will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in West Crowley Cemetery.
Wake services will be observed on Saturday, September 9, 2000, from 10 a.m. until 1p.m. at the church.
Survivors include her mother, Helen Jackson of Crowley; her father, Leo Jackson of Crowley; one son, Laronzo D. Winters of Crowley; and three brothers, Lawrence Jackson of Baton Rouge, Reverend Leron Jackson of Rowlett, Texas, and Reverend Leo Paul Jackson of Crowley; and three grandchildren.
Owens-Thomas Funeral Home of Eunice is in charge of arrangements.
Maudrey
Lemaire LeBlanc
ESTHERWOOD - Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, September 8, 2000, at Victory Baptist Church for Maudrey Lemaire LeBlanc, 73, who died at 1:15 a.m. Thursday, September 7, 2000, at her daughter’s residence.
Reverend Brian McFarlain will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in Istre Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed on Friday from 2 p.m. until the time of services.
Survivors include four sons, Floyd Francis LeBlanc Jr. of Riceville, Micheal Francis LeBlanc of Rayne, Carl James LeBlanc of Rayne and Ricky Dale LeBlanc of Gueydan; four daughters, Mrs. Clifford (Shermon) Martin of Gueydan, Mrs. Terry (Kathy) Clark of Gueydan, Mrs. Lynn (Bonnie) Baker of Lyons Point and Mrs. Juanita Bertrand of Gueydan; two sisters, Mrs. Andrew (Rebecca) LeBlanc of Riceville and Mrs. Horace (Dora) Patin of Riceville; twenty-one grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was a native of Gueydan and a lifelong resident of Riceville. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd LeBlanc.
Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Gueydan are in charge of arrangements.
Mary Grace
Miciotto Stein
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 9, 2000, at St. Michael Catholic Church for Mary Grace Miciotto Stein, 82, who died at 2:10 a.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2000, at her residence in Rayne.
Father Jules Arceneaux will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in St. Joseph Mausoleum in Rayne.
Visitation will be observed on Friday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until the time of services. A rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Survivors include her husband, W.J. “Joe” Stein of Rayne; one son, Earl “Butch” John Jr. and his wife, Jo Ann of Rayne; one brother, Marvin Miciotto of Lafayette; one sister, Jacquelyn Huesers of Crowley; two grandchildren, Mary Celeste Fruge’ and her husband, Shane Fruge’ of The Woodlands, Texas, and Aimee Allison John of Rayne.
Mrs. Stein is preceded by her parents, Joseph Miciotto, II and Loretta Beurlot Miciotto; and one brother, Joseph Miciotto, III.
Mrs. Stein worked for KSIG radio station as a bookkeeper for 20 years. Then, she was self-employed as a bookkeeper until she retired in 1996. She belonged to several bowling leagues in Crowley and Lafayette from 1957 until 1996. She was also an active member of the Mended Heart of Acadiana from 1987 to 1998.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish.
Pallbearers will be Ben Huesers, Mark Huesers, Chuck Huesers, Joe Smith Miciotto, Michael Rougeau and Albert John.
Honorary pallbearers are Andrew Huesers, Binks Miciotto, Robert Stein Jr., Shane Fruge’, Wayne Menard, Becky Menard, Kathy Gauthreaux and Chris Richard.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
S.R. “Dick” Bossley
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at St. Michael Catholic Church for S.R. “Dick” Bossley, 81, who died Monday, September 11, 2000, at 6 a.m. at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Father Louis Richard will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Mausoleum in Crowley.
Visitation will be observed on Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. and from 8 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday.
A rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Dubuse Landry Bossley of Crowley; two daughters, Gail Canant and husband, Cliff of Houston, Texas, and their children, Alan Canant and his wife, Stephanie and Samantha Canant; Anne Odum and her husband, George of Houston, Texas, and their children, Amy Scarborough and her husband, Rev. James and Rick Odum; one stepson, Van Landry of Crowley; two brothers, Ludger Bossley of Crowley and Vincent Bossley of Bay City, Texas.
Mr. Bossley was preceded in death by his first wife, Estelle Fleming Bossley; two brothers, Hayes Bossley and Harold Bossley; two sisters, Marine Bossley Trahan and Magdalena Bossley Ziegler.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Michael School.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
Dreffus Byers Jr.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa Church for Dreffus Byers Jr. who died Tuesday, September 5, 2000, at his residence.
Father Sadlier will officiate for the services.
Visitation will be observed at the church on Wednesday, September 13 from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.
He leaves to cherish his wife, Gertrude L. Byers; four daughters, Mary G. Hayes and her husband, Larry Hayes of Crowley, Selena Byers of Lafayette, Catherine and Michelle Byers of Crowley; three sons, Cornell, Dreffus III and Rodney Byers and his wife, Evelyn T. Byers, all of Crowley; four sisters, Orelia Johnson, Mable B. Martin, Gaynell Robinson, all of Crowley and Marilyn Scott of Hitchcock, Texas. He also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Effie and Dreffus Byers Sr., two sisters, Metha Byers and Eva Bias; and two brothers, Rodney and Manny Byers.
Interment
will be in Branch Cemetery with Raphael’s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Bertha Thibodeaux Stewart
LAKE CHARLES - Funeral services for Mrs. Bertha Thibodeaux Stewart, 65, of Lake Charles, will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at 2 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel.
Dr. Eddie Simmons will officiate. Burial will be held in Consolata Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
Mrs. Stewart died on September 11, 2000, at 10:20 a.m. at her residence.
She was a native of Crowley and lived in Lake Charles for 38 years. She worked as a nurses’ aid. She was a member of South Lake Charles Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Terrel W. Stewart of Griffin, Ga., Russell J. Stewart of Oakdale and Byron K. Stewart of Sulphur; five grandchildren; and four brothers, Carlson Thibodeaux of Morse, Hansen Thibodeaux of Roanoke, Alex Thibodeaux of Crowley and Emery Thibodeaux of Morse.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Stewart and a son, Michael “Scotty” Stewart.
Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles is in charge of arrangements.
F.J. “Pete” Sloane
MOWATA - Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at 10 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Mowata for F.J. “Pete” Sloane, 81, who died Monday, September 11, 2000, at 12:30 a.m. at his residence.
Father Charles Thevis will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in St. Lawrence Mausoleum in Mowata.
Visitation will be observed on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Ruby Prather Sloane of Crowley; two sons, Donald G. Sloane of Crowley and Michael W. Sloane Sr. and his wife, Kathleen of Crowley; eight grandchildren, Todd Sloane and wife, Missy, Michael W. Sloane Jr. and wife, Christina, Catherine A. Chanthovongsy and husband, Peak, Kristina Sloane and Brandon Sloane, all of Crowley, Brian N. Sloane and wife, Marsha of Mermentau, Mark T. Sloane and wife, Gretchen of Evangeline, Jennifer Sloane of Jacksonville, Florida; eight great-grandchildren, Jantz, Jacob, Tyler, Paige, Kaitlyn, Kennedy, Nicholas and Madeline.
Mr. Sloane was a native and lifelong resident and local horticulturist for 56 years. A licensed and bonded arborist, he was owner of Sloane’s Tree Service from 1936- 1992, having received his expertise and certification through Reynold’s Tree Service of Mississippi and Davey School of Horticulture in Kent, Ohio.
Mr. Sloane was a captain in the Civil Air Patrol, he flew his own plane and often aided the sheriff’s departments of Acadia and the surrounding parishes in search and rescue missions. He was a member and past president of the Louisiana Arborist Association, the Knights of Columbus Council #1318; and a parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Mowata, where he served on the parish council. He attended Crowley High School and was active in football and boxing under the late Coach Albert Zock.
He was preceded in death by his parents, N. J. Sloane and Vennie Wilhite Sloane, one brother, Fritz Sloane.
Pallbearers will include his four grandsons, Todd Sloane, Mike Sloane Jr., Mark Sloane and Brian Sloane; and two nephews, Bobby Christian and Bernie Sloane. Honorary pallbearers will be grandson, Brandon Sloane and nephews, Joey Prather, Blakely Prather and Edwin Prather.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
Lela Marie
LeJeune Gaspard
IOTA - Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2000, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iota for Lela Marie LeJeune Gaspard, 64, who died at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, September 10, 2000, at her daughter’s residence in Eunice.
Father David Broussard will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed until the time of services.
Survivors include two daughters, Melinda Estillette of Eunice and Madeline Reed of Basile; one brother, Roland LeJeune of Iota; three sisters, Ruby Mott of Eunice, Mary Jane Guidry of Crowley and Rena Mae Miller of Iota; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Evrelle and Lucia Simar LeJeune; her husband, Dallas Gaspard; and one daughter, Brenda Leckelt.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was also the housekeeper and cook for St. Joseph Rectory for 10 years.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Iota is in charge of arrangements.
RAYNE - Mervine Joseph Lee Foreman, 77, died at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2000, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne. Burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery in Rayne.
Stephen Paul Guidry
Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2000, at North Shore Regional Medical Center in Slidell.
Father Aaron Melancon will officiate for the services.
Survivors include his mother, Sandy Guidry of Mandeville; one son, Logan Michael Guidry and his mother, Christy Guidry of Slidell; one brother, Brian David Guidry and his wife, Vera of Birmingham, Alabama; maternal grandmother, Mazel Simon Armentor of Mandeville and paternal grandmother, Rita G. Guidry of Crowley.
He was preceded in death by his father, Michael Wayne Guidry; grandfather, Wallace Armentor and grandfather, William “Bill” Guidry.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
RAYNE - Louis “Ben” Credeur, 85, died Tuesday, September 12, 2000, at American Legion Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 14, 2000, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne. Burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery.
JENNINGS - Chester B. Hebert, 69, died at 8:56 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at the V.A. Medical Center in Alexandria. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2000, at Matthews and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Jennings. Burial with full military rites will be held in Mermentau Cemetery.
Ethel Bickham
Funeral services were pending at press time for Ethel Bickham, 82, who died at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at Landmark.
Geesey-Ferguson Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Stroud Bickham
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 16, 2000, at 11 a.m. in Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel for Ethel Stroud Bickham, 82, who died at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2000, at Landmark Inc.
Graveside services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Siloam Baptist Cemetery near Many. Officiating for the services will be Reverend Larry Evans of First Baptist Church in Crowley.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
Mrs. Bickham completed college at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and did her graduate work at Nagadoches, Texas. She taught Home Economics for 15 years in Louisiana and Texas. She was a Home Economist in the Extension Service in Angelina County, Texas, for three years and in Acadia Parish for 23 years. In 1974, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension Home Economists in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
She was active in the Acadia Council on Child Abuse, Inc., G.F.W.C., Beta Delphian Study Club and Delta Kappa Gamma.
She became a member of First Baptist Church at the age of nine. She has been active in First Baptist Church of Crowley, in the Baptist Women’s Club, Bible Study, Rejoicer’s (senior citizen’s choir) and in Just Older Youth (JOY) Club.
She is survived by two nieces, Danna Kay Crochet of Luling and Ricki O’Brien of New Iberia; four great-nieces, Lisa Broussard, Ashley Lynn Crochet, Nicole Begnaud and Tiffany Vergenal; and three great-great nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walton Oliver Bickham, whom she married in 1946.
David Woodward Wilkins
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 18, 2000, at 10 a.m. in Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel for David Woodward Wilkins, 42, who died at 1 a.m. Thursday, September 14, 2000, at his residence in Crowley.
Officiating for the funeral service will be Reverend Truman Stagg of Wesley United Methodist Church in Crowley.
Visitation will be observed from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. Monday until services.
Mr. Wilkins received degrees in Substance/Drug Abuse Counseling and Computer Drafting from Tulane University.
He is survived by his wife, Debra Suire Wilkins of Crowley; a daughter, Catherine McKaylah Rita Wilkins of Crowley; his parents, George and Marilyn Wilkins of Metairie; a sister, Laurie W. Noel of San Francisco, Calif.; two brothers, John W. Wilkins of Stockholm, Sweden, and Robert W. Wilkins of Metairie.
He will be sadly missed by his two close friends, Dana Castille and Rita Monceaux.
Elmer Lord Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2000, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Elmer Lord Jr., 67, who died at 9:50 p.m. Monday, September 11, 2000, at Polly Ryon Hospital in Richmond, Texas.
Reverend Don Monk and Reverend Randy Hall will co-officiate for the services. Burial will held in Sensat Cemetery in Egan.
Visitation will be observed until the time of services.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Lord of Sugarland, Texas; three daughters, Bianca Lord and Nancy Lord, both of Sugarland, Texas, and Cindy Briner of Houston, Texas; one son, Bud Lord of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Steven Lord, Nicole Lord, Matthew Briner, Kimberly Lord, Elizabeth Briner and Jon David Briner.
Pallbearers will be James Hughes, Don Chambliss, Doug LeBlanc, Ron Jackson, Grogan Grant and Wendall Schexnayder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nancy and Elmer Lord Sr.; and two sons, William and Gerald Lord.
Charles Marvin Miciotto
Funeral services were held Saturday at 11 a.m. in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille for Charles Marvin Miciotto, 75, who died Thursday at his residence in Lafayette.
Interment
was in Holy Mary Mother of God Cemetery.
C.M. Miciotto, a native of Crowley, moved to Lafayette following World War II where he served in the United States Navy for three years in the South Pacific as a Captain’s Yeoman. He graduated from Crowley High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana (SLI) in 1952.
He worked with Horace B. Rickey, Inc. general contractor, for 21 years and served as vice president. During this time he worked closely with th elate Maurice Heymann and A. Hays Town, Inc. in building the Heymann Oil Center.
In 1972, Mr. Miciotto started his own construction company, C.M. Miciotto & Son, Inc., and served as president until his retirement in 1989.
He was a member of the Rotary Club, Oakbourne Country Club, Lafayette Town House, Krewe of Gabriel, Associated General Contractors, International Good Neighbor Council and Zoning Adjustment Board for Lafayette City Parish Government.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Virginia (Beesey) Muller Miciotto, their three children, Charlotte Gwynn Miciotto, C.W. (Binks) Miciotto married to Susan Reinach Miciotto, Melanie Elizabeth (Mitzi) Gardner married to Dennis Paul Gardner; five grandchildren, Paul and Charles Gardner and Kristen, Buck and Kate Miciotto; and one sister, Mrs. Andrew (Jackie) Huesars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miciotto II, one brother, Joseph and one sister, Mrs. Mary Grace Miciotto Stein.
He loved cooking, gardening and traveling.
Pallbearers were Buck Miciotto, Paul Gardner, Charles Gardner, Marshal Guidry, Jimmy Yongue and Tom Ward. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Denbo Montgomery, C. Thad Montgomery, Dr. Mims Mitchell, Dr. Edgar Breaux, Dr. Sweeney Smith, Tom Butcher, Arthur Foss, Floyd Breaux, Marvin Morris, Ronald Thompson, Jake Koury, Ray Havard, Herbert Heymann, Charles Prevost, Vince Madonna and Hardy Edmiston.
Woodrow Wyatt
BATON ROUGE - Woodrow Wyatt of Baton Rouge passed away on September 13, 2000. He was born December 20, 1912, in Acadia Parish to the late Edwin and Ellen Wyatt.
He served in the Navy from 1942-1946 during World War II in San Diego as a Procurement Specialist for the Pacific Fleet. He then returned to Southwest Louisiana and worked in the oil business until his retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Willie B. Wyatt; his son, Woodrow W. Wyatt of Baton Rouge; his daughter, Sandra Wyatt Landers of Pacific Palisades, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Kimberly Wyatt and Doug Wyatt of Baton Rouge and Elizabeth Landers of Paris, France.
A memorial service will be held in Baton Rouge on Thursday, September 21 at 2 p.m.
SUNSET - Hubert Boudreaux, 78, died at 11:15 a.m. Monday, September 18, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2000, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be held in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point is in charge of arrangements.
GUEYDAN - Harris Conride Miller Sr., 81, died at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2000, at Crowley American Legion Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2000, at First United Methodist Church in Gueydan. Burial with full Masonic and military rites will be held in Gueydan Cemetery. Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Gueydan is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Ann
Mayer Skiver
TORRANCE, Calif. - Betty Ann Mayer Skiver, 73, died Saturday morning, September 16, 2000, in Torrance, Calif.
She is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Skiver; two brothers, Gerry and Archie Mayer; and three sisters, Shirley Guidroz, Jean Mire and Claire Dupuis.
Marilynn Dean Swacker
Funeral services at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley were pending at press time for Marilynn Dean Swacker, 73, who died at 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette.
Lorraine Pearl Vondenstein
DUSON - A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, September 19, 2000, at 2 p.m. at St. Theresa Church in Duson for Lorraine Pearl Vondenstein, 77, who died Sunday, September 17, 2000, at a Lafayette hospital.
Entombment was held in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Mowata.
Survivors include her husband, John J. Vondenstein of Duson; four sons, Darrell Vondenstein of Crowley, Wayne Vondenstein of Rayville, Steven Vondenstein of Duson and Larry Vondenstein of Rayne; three daughters, Janet V. Trahan of Alexandria, Elaine V. Bell of Youngsville and Lisa V. McNeely of Crowley; 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Vondenstein received the Bishop’s Medal for Distinguished Service, was a member of the Catholic Daughters, American Legion Auxiliary, Ladies Altar Society and the International Good Neighbors Travel Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Eunice Malagarrie Miller and two sisters, Lois M. Richard and Ethel M. Trumps.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Michael, David, Nicholas, John Scott and Paul Vondenstein, Jeff and Joey Trahan and Bryan Bell.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Theresa Parish Life Center.
Gossen Funeral Home of Rayne was in charge of arrangements.
Marilynn Dean “Mikki” Swacker
Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 21, 2000, at 7 p.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel for Marilynn Dean “Mikki” Swacker, 73, who died at 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.
Reverend Truman Stagg will officiate for the service. The family will accept friends on Thursday from 5 p.m. to service time at the funeral home.
Survivors include one daughter, Karla Swacker and her husband, Charles Browning of Baton Rouge; two sons, David Arthur Swacker Sr. and his wife, Tracy of Prairieville, and Thomas Dean Swacker of Baytown, Texas; two grandsons, David Arthur Swacker Jr. of Crowley, Christian Michael Swacker of Bellville, Texas; three step granddaughters, Cristy Fontenot of Baton Rouge, Nicki Charlson of Prairieville and Dara Browning of Houston, Texas; three great-grandchildren; three step great-grandsons; two nephews, Dean Laffey of Mesa, Ariz., and Jim Swacker of Benton, Ky.
Mrs. Swacker was a native of Highland Park, Ill., and a resident of Crowley since 1963. She was a graduate of Roycemore School in Evanston, Ill., attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., and received her Bachelor of Education degree from National College of Education in Evanston, Ill., and her Master’s degree from McNeese State University in Lake Charles. She was a member of Les Dames Acadienne, Retired Teachers Association, Kappa Alpha Theta Social Sorority, Acadiana Chapter of AARP, American Association of University Women and American Legion Auxiliary. She taught school at North and South Crowley Elementary Schools and the Alternative School.
Mrs. Swacker was an avid sports enthusiast, world traveler and supporter of local high school athletics.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Marion Duncan Dean; and her husband, Arthur Walter Swacker Jr.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Acadia Parish Library, c/o Joyce Sarver, 1125 N. Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, La. 70526 or American Heart Association, c/o Earl and Nettie Romero, 227 Broadacres Drive, Crowley, La. 70526.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
Frank Gates
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 23, 2000, at First United Methodist Church for Frank Jones Gates, 75, who died at 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2000, at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
Reverend Bob Hollis will officiate for the services. He will be assisted by Reverend Spiller Milton and Reverend David Dewitt. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery in Crowley.
Visitation will be observed on Thursday from 6-9 p.m., on Friday from 1-9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Gates of Crowley; one son, Robert “Bob” Gates and his wife, Cindy of Crowley; one daughter, Janice G. Redlich and her husband, Joey of Lake Charles; eight grandchildren, Robbie Gates and his wife, Monique, Adam Gates, Betsy Gates, Bridget R. Boudreaux and her husband, Scott, Rachael R. Willis and her husband, Jacob, Jody Redlich, Katie Redlich and Alice Redlich; six great-grandchildren, Kristen Gates, Christopher Boudreaux, Myles Gates, Gabrielle Willis, Jack Gates and Victoria Willis.
Pallbearers will be Adam Gates, Robbie Gates, Jody Redlich, Scott Boudreaux, Jacob Willis and Blake Hale.
Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher Boudreaux, Myles Gates and Jack Gates.
He was preceded by his father, Jack C. Gates Sr., mother, Eva Jones Gates; and two brothers, Jack C. Gates Jr. and Thomas L. Gates Sr.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
RAYNE - Percy Rogers Harmon, 57, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000, at his residence in Rayne. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000, at Cunningham C.M.E. Burial will be at Branch Cemetery. Owen-Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
RAYNE - Elton Dupuis, 54, of Church Point died at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, at a Lafayette hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2000, at the Duhon Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery No. 2. Duhon Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MOWATA - Elton Chevis, 47, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Burial will be at Frey Cemetery. Owen-Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
June Voitier Casanova
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 23 at St. Michael Catholic Church for June Voitier Casanova, 76, who died suddenly Thursday afternoon in Lafayette. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery and a rosary will be recited Saturday at 11 a.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin Saturday at 9 a.m.
A longtime resident of Crowley, Mrs. Casanova was born in New Orleans and was a native of Opelousas. She was the wife of Crowley optometrist Dr. Thomas H. Casanova. Other survivors include three sons, Dr. Thomas H. Casanova II of Crowley, George A. “Jackie” Casanova of Church Point and John M. “Johnny” Casanova also of Crowley; two daughters, June C. Rogers of New Orleans and Susan Casanova of Crowley; two sisters, Elaine Fields of Opelousas and Jeanne Burleigh of Morgan City and eleven grandchildren.
Mrs. Casanova is preceded in death by an infant son, Robert M. Casanova, one sister, Susan L. Casanova and two brothers, George A. Voitier and M. Robert Voitier.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Notre Dame Library in Crowley or the Our Mother of Peace Gymnasium Fund in Church Point.
SCOTT - Mrs. Elodia Hebert, 82, of Scott, died at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2000, at her home. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at St. Peter and Paul Church. Burial was held in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery. Duhon Funeral Home of Rayne was in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Ella Sharpe
BATON ROUGE - Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 23, at Greenoaks Funeral Home for Mrs. Ruth Ella Sharpe, 75, of Baton Rouge, who died Thursday, September 21, 2000.
Interment
was held in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Rev. Donald Tabb officiated.
Survivors include her husband, Vincent Sharpe of Baton Rouge; one son and daughter-in-law, Michel and Nelda LeBlanc of Sulphur; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nanette and Ulf Peterson of Peach Tree City, Ga., and Yvette and Danny Price of Baton Rouge; three step-children and their spouses, David and Mary Sharpe of Memphis, Tenn., Diana and Bud Winchester of Pensacola, Fla., and Dana Sharpe of Valdosta, Ga.; one sister and brother-in-law, Deanna and Leonard Habetz of Crowley; two brothers and sister-in-law, Gene and Rene Hoffpauir of Lake Charles and Buddy Hoffpauir of Crowley; grandchildren, Shelley LeBlanc of Baton Rouge, Ashely LeBlanc, Stephanie Williams, Alisa LeBlanc, Amanda and Alexandra Peterson of Peach Tree City, Heath Price, Blake Price and Cole Price of Baton Rouge, Wendy and Mike Williams and Staci Sharpe, all of Memphis, Tenn., and Larry Dowell of Pensacola, Fla.; and great-grandchildren, Carter Vincent Sharpe of Memphis, Larry Dowell of Pensacola, Jessica Costanza and Katelynn Hunt of Baton Rouge.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Hoffpauir and her mother, Estinna Hoffpauir Larson.
A native of Crowley, she was a past resident of Destin and a resident of Baton Rouge. She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and The Chapel on the Campus. She was a past member of the New Comers Club and was a member of the Encore Club.
Memorial donations can be made to Hospice Foundation of Greater Baton Rouge and The Chapel on the Campus Youth Ministry.
Elmer Williams Louviere
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, September 25, 2000, at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel for Elmer Williams Louviere, 59, who died at his residence in Crowley at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 23, 2000.
Reverend Jimmy Broussard and Archbishop Max Broussard conduct the services. Burial will be held in Hanks Cemetery in Morse.
Visitation will be observed on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Monday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
A vigil service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Survivors include his mother, Verna Gary of Jennings; his wife, Shirley Hebert Louviere of Morse; two sons, Anthony Craig Louviere of Morse and Terry Paul Louviere of Lacassine; two daughters, Stacy Lane LeJeune of Mermentau and Shannon Lea Clement of Morse; one brother, Bobby Louviere Sr. of Estherwood; four sisters, Lorita Breaux of Hathaway, Toby LeJeune of Jennings, Janet Daigle of Jennings and Becky Istre of Estherwood; and nine grandchildren, Sarah and Brittany Louviere, Heather and Caleb Louviere, Cade, Courtney and Caitlyn LeJeune, Travis and Morgan Clement.
Pallbearers will include Charles Kutsch, Bobby Louviere Jr., Chris LeJeune, Heath Breaux, Darby Hanks and Calvin Doucet.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Osen Magnon Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2000, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Osen Magnon Jr., 69, who died at 5:15 a.m. Saturday, September 23, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette.
Reverend Bruce Runner will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in Indian Bayou United Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday from 4-10 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Magnon of Crowley; one daughter and son-in-law, Dallana and Rickey Mouton of Crowley; one brother, Brady Mier of Crowley; and three grandchildren, Stacey Mouton, Trent Mouton and Kayla Mouton.
Mr. Magnon served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Belle Spell and Osen Magnon Sr.
Gloria Richards Landry
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 25 , 2000, at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Gloria Richard Landry, 76, who died at 9 p.m. Friday, September 22, 2000, at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
Father Aaron Melancon will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of services.
Survivors include three daughters, Christine Ann Landry of New Orleans, Cheryl Landry Martin of Lafayette and Lynn Landry Ward and her husband, Ben of St. Petersburg, Fla.; three brothers, Clyde, George and Charles Richards; and one sister, Shirley Little.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ida Duplechain Richards; and her husband, Austin Charles “Galine” Landry.
GUEYDAN - Emily Lege, 95, died at 2:25 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2000, at her daughter’s residence in Kaplan. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2000, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Burial will be held in Gueydan Cemetery. Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Gueydan is in charge of arrangements.
Eugene Louis Guidry
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2000, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for Eugene Louis Guidry, 19, who died at 3:11 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2000, at his residence in Crowley.
Father Joseph Greenwell officiated for the services. Burial was held in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation was observed on Monday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
A rosary was recited at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Survivors include his parents, Raymond and Rhonda Stelly Guidry of Crowley; one brother, Joshua Guidry of Crowley; one sister, Angela Stelly of Crowley; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Leola Guidry of Crowley; one niece; and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sylvia Rae Stafford Dickson
IOTA - Funeral services for Mrs. Sylvia Rae Stafford Dickson, 72, of Lake Charles, will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2000, at 1 p.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iota.
Reverend David Broussard will officiate for the services. Burial will be held in St. Joseph Catholic Mausoleum under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.
Visitation will be observed on Wednesday, September 27, 2000, from 12:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in Johnson Funeral Home and will continue on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 11 a.m. until the time of services.
Mrs. Dickson died on Monday, September 25, 2000, at 10:40 p.m. at a local hospital.
She is survived by a daughter, Mauria Venissat of Sulphur.
A native of Iota, Mrs. Dickson was a graduate of Egan High School. She worked for the Louisiana welfare system for five years in the late 1950s. Mrs. Dickson received her Bachelor of Science degree from LSU and earned her Master of Science in Library Science from LSU in 1960. She retired from McNeese State University after 30 years as an instructor in botany lab, biology lab and human anatomy lab. Mrs. Dickson was very interested in genealogy. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.
RAYNE - Kenneth Thibodeaux, 52, died at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2000, at her residence in Kaplan. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2000, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel of Rayne. Burial was held in St. Joseph Cemetery.
LAFAYETTE - Mrs. Helen Marie Courville, 63, died at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2000, at Our Lady of Oaks Nursing. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
CROWLEY - Mrs. Vivian Hills, 80, of Eunice, died on Monday, Sept. 25, 2000, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Jerusalem Baptist Church. Burial will be held in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Eunice. Owens-Thomas Funeral Home of Eunice is in charge of arrangements.
CROWLEY - Mrs. Percy (Anna Mae Cormier) Thibodeaux, 77, of Crowley, died at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000, at American Legion Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today, Sept. 29, at St. Michael Catholic Church. Burial will be in Frey Cemetery. Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
