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Dr. Rex John LeBlanc

Wed, 08/08/2018 - 9:31am

Dr. Rex John LeBlanc, 86, passed away peacefully Friday, August 3, 2018 at his home in Lafayette, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette. Father Bryce Sibley, Pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church, will officiate. A rosary will be recited by Deacon Frank Cormier on Friday, August 10, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette. Visitation will be Friday, August 10, 2018 from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Dr. LeBlanc was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and a member of the Acadiana community. He brought nurture, compassion, and fun to his interactions with family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances alike, and was well loved in return by all who knew him.
Dr. LeBlanc was born in Abbeville, Louisiana in 1931. Growing up, he loved playing football at Abbeville High School and football remained a passion throughout his life. From 1951 to 1955, during the Korean War, he served in the United States Navy. He was proud to be a medic for the Marine Corps, but it was his time in the Psychiatric Ward of the San Diego Hospital that moved him to start a career in mental health.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana, Lafayette, ULL), and continued playing football while there. He went on to earn his doctorate degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His Baylor legacy includes training primates for NASA to test the effects of space travel on motor coordination.
He worked as a professor of psychology and an experimental psychologist at ULL for 20 years, and was renowned for both encouraging and entertaining fellow faculty and students. While there, he collaborated on projects with the New Iberia Primate Research Center, and with Louisiana mental health services to establish the Pollux House for runaway girls.
He met Sonja Faye Mallet while teaching at ULL, and they were married in 1964. Rex and Sonja shared a deep compassion for others and a love of family and children. They had four children together, and Sonja later joined him in the mental health field. Rex and Sonja had a weekend get-away camp in Vermillion Parish where they loved to entertain family, friends, and colleagues, including the hosting of annual Super Bowl parties; his friends bestowed awards upon him over the years for best crawfish étoufée and barbeque.
After retiring from ULL, Dr. LeBlanc took an administrative position at the Acadiana Mental Health Clinic. He also conducted psychological testing for local schools and clinical psychologists until last year.
Dr. LeBlanc’s community and professional affiliations included the Krewe of Gabriel, the Krewe of Oberon, and the American Psychological Association. He enjoyed music, literature, movies, and local festivals. He was highly respected and well-liked. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
Dr. LeBlanc is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sonja LeBlanc of Lafayette; their children, Michelle LeBlanc of Falls Church, VA and her partner, Lawrence Benade, Rex John LeBlanc II of Broussard, LA and his wife, Kelli, Andrea LeBlanc of Los Angeles, CA and her husband, Jan Chaitas, and Stephen LeBlanc of New Orleans, LA; one sister, Dorothy LeBlanc of Baton Rouge, LA; three grandsons, Jean-Paul Pierre LeBlanc, Aiden Rex LeBlanc and Ian James LeBlanc; honorary daughters, Lynn Smith and Sandra Frederick; and numerous dear nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Adelbert and Azilie Lege LeBlanc; and his siblings, Eunice LeBlanc, Eric LeBlanc, and Darnella Milliman.
Pallbearers will be Rex John LeBlanc, II, Stephen LeBlanc, Lynn Smith, Eddie Milliman, Jan Chaitas, and Larry Benade.
The family wishes to thank everyone who supported them and Dr. LeBlanc this year, with special thanks to the staffs at Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette Extended Care, and Lafayette Physical Rehabilitation Hospital.
Memorials may be made in Dr. LeBlanc’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL, 60601, (504) 613-6505, www.alz.org, or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Acadiana via NAMI Acadiana, PO Box 51903. Lafayette, LA, 70505-1903, (337) 504-4752, or email at nami@namiacadiana.org.
Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery at 1010 Pandora St. in Lafayette, (337) 981-7098, is handling arrangements.
Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.

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Raymond Mark Blanc

Wed, 08/08/2018 - 9:02am

LAFAYETTE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Raymond Mark Blanc will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2018, in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home. Rev. Fr. Chester Arceneaux will celebrate the Mass. Rite of Committal and interment will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in the Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery (Hwy. 700) in Indian Bayou.
God’s angels whispered for his spirit to enter the land of paradise and he quietly surrendered on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at the home of his caretaker in Abbeville, at the age of 55 after battling a brief illness. Raymond Mark Blanc was born to the union of the late, Howard Mark Blanc, Sr. and Marie Roche Blanc, in Kaplan, LA, on June 1, 1963.
He was an extremely talented master florist and creatively designed beautiful flower arrangements, elegant floral accents and home holiday displays, and catered food for weddings, showers, funerals, church events, meetings and birthday parties. He worked for Albertson’s in the floral department for many years. His talented work was seen by many in numerous local churches which he decorated for Easter and Christmas Masses, as well as, numerous homes which he decorated during the Christmas and Mardi Gras seasons. Some of his favorite pastime activities were cooking, baking, canning, gardening, and tending to his plants, especially his African violets and crotons.
His vast love for music and singing was shown as he participated in several Church Choirs, Community Choirs, and local groups. He was a jovial and helpful person inside and out and has left a legacy of compassion and love to those he has left behind. His devout Catholic faith was strong and his commitment to living a Christian life assures us that he is now with God in heaven. He was a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette.
His miniature Dachshunds- Travis, Bella, Abigail, Charlie, Lucy, Roxie, and Maddie occupied most of his time and energy until his illness. He cherished his visits and spending time with his relatives and close friends, especially his nieces and nephews and religious family. His love for God, family, friends, and the joy of life will remain in the memories of those who shared his legacy.
He is survived by his sisters, Beverly B. Mire and husband, Marion of Kaplan; and Linda B. LeMaire and husband, Leo of Kaplan; brother, Howard Blanc, Jr. of Morgan City; brothers-in-law, Ernest Busby of Cypress Island; and Tex Busby and wife, Eula of Hatfield, AR; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Ready to welcome him in Heaven was his wife, Gladys “Dee Dee” Busby Blanc; parents, Howard M. Blanc, Sr. and Marie Roche Blanc; sister, Lou Anna B. Faulk; his brother, Gerald Mark Blanc; his paternal grandparents, Eddie and Mary Blanc; and his maternal grandparents, Leodious and Estelle Roche; his father-in-law, Robert Edward Buzbee, Sr. and mother-in-law, Gladys Holly Buzbee. He will now rest peacefully with his wife of 26 years who he loved very much. 
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Walters Funeral Home, 2424 North University Avenue, Lafayette. A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend special thanks to his caretakers, Jerome Mergist, the entire Mergist family, and Mary Comeaux who watched over and tended to his needs. Also, heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of Hospice of Acadiana, especially his nurse, Whitney and his aide, Marcie; the staff of Dr. John Anderson’s office at Cyberknife Center, especially his therapy nurse, Brandy; and the staff of Dr. Victoria Panelli’s office at Cancer Center of Acadiana for their wonderful medical care given to him during his illness.
Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com. LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA, 70570 (337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

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Timothy Paul Dore

Wed, 08/08/2018 - 8:54am

DELCAMBRE – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Timothy Paul Dore, 58 at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church. Fr. Buddy Breaux will officiate. Inurnment will follow at the church cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will take place at the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 am until the service time. A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 am on Friday.
A native of Delcambre and resident of Lafayette, Mr. Dore passed away on Monday, July 30, 2018 at his residence.
Timothy was an avid outdoorsman who found joy in the simple life of country living. Timmy was a commercial fisherman by trade and spent most of his life on the water. He was usually in the local waters of Delcambre working on a shrimp boat or looking for catfish. A loving brother, uncle, and friend, Timmy will be truly and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his siblings, Roland Dore and wife Maria of Copperas Cove, Texas, Wanda Dore Bourgeois and husband Kenneth of Abbeville, and Brenda Dore Hebert and husband Arcade of Delcambre; sister-in-law, Dina T. Dore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is precede in death by his parents, Ledier and Louella Bourque Dore; and brothers, Michael and Ledroy Dore.
To view on-line obituary and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

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Edgar “Bee” Baudoin, Jr.

Wed, 08/08/2018 - 8:31am

Edgar “Bee” Baudoin, Jr. died on Monday, August 6, 2018, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born on October 23, 1933, he was a life-long resident of Maurice, Louisiana and was the son of the late Edgar Baudoin, Sr. and Electa Mallet Baudoin. He was an Army veteran having served in Korea.
Edgar is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elgin Prejean Baudoin; a daughter, Elizabeth Baudoin Landry, and husband, Ivy; a son, Gerard Baudoin, and wife, Helen. He is also survived by his six grandchildren whom he loved dearly; Brett Landry, and wife, Lauren; Lauren Landry Sarver, and husband Charles; Lainey Landry Gonzales, and husband, Stephen; Nicole Walters Touchette, and husband, Cody; Haley Baudoin and Grant Baudoin. He adored his great-grandchildren, Harper and Kate Touchette, Olivia Sarver and Trey Gonzales. He is survived by his two brothers, Andrew Ray Baudoin and Francis Baudoin; and one sister, Carmen Baudoin Nunez.
Interment will be at 2:00PM on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Maurice, Louisiana.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Baudoin family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Road, Maurice, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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Jerome Puyau removed his personal belonging from his office Monday night because he was suspended by the school board. He can not walk on school grounds during the investigation.

School Board suspends Puyau with pay while he is investigated

Mon, 08/06/2018 - 8:34pm
They list complaints against him over the last 3 1/2 years

The Vermilion Parish School Board voted 6-2 to suspend school superintendent Jerome Puyau while an independent investigation takes dealing with a list of complaints against Puyau.
Voting to suspend Puyau were school board members Chris Gautreaux, Kibbie Pillette, Stacy Landry, Laura LeBeouf, David Dupuis and Sara Duplechain.
Voting against the suspension were Chris Hebert and Jean Broussard.
The reason given for the investigation is a list of complaints that board members have heard about Puyau over the last 3 1/2 years.
Board President Stacy Landry, during the executive session out in public, read off a three-page list of complaints.
Landry listed concerns such as:
• No observation of principals
• He does not go into classrooms.
• Takes leave without giving any notification.
• Micromanage
• Attitude - “I am the boss, and I make all the decisions.”
• Morale is low
• Erratic behavior.
• Banging of his hands on the desk
• Abusive behavior
• An attack on a parent in a parking lot
• Overriding board members’ decisions
Landry, who is a big supporter of Puyau, said the reason why he voted to suspend Puyau was a recent action by the superintendent.
With attorney Woody Woodruff retired, the school board wanted to hire a law firm to represent the school board.
Landry said he met with Puyau and requested Puyau sit and listen to the idea of the board of hiring a law firm instead of hiring a full-time lawyer.
Instead of talking to the board about the lawyer position, Puyau hired Kathy Boudreaux as the school board’s attorney. She began work last night.
Landry said Puyau, “Flat out ignored my email. We got a phone call saying he hired legal counsel. It could have been handled better. This did not help the situation. It poured gas on the fire.”
Puyau’s suspension began last night after the meeting. He is not allowed to step foot on school property until the investigation is complete. It is still not known who will be doing the investigation.
Paul Hebert will act as the superintendent during the investigation.

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Stutes’ office announces convictions for Vermilion, Lafayette Parishes

Mon, 08/06/2018 - 4:40pm

During the month of July, 2018 the following defendants were convicted or pled guilty to various charges and were sentenced in the 15th Judicial District Court, Parishes of Lafayette and Vermilion:

Vermilion Parish

1. Rene Landry, 2 counts Crime Against Nature, 3 years hard labor on each count, suspended, 3 years active supervised probation; Sex Offender Treatment, Substance Abuse Treatment,
15 years Sex Offender Registry
2. Luther Richardson, Simple Burglary, 9 years hard labor
3. Nigel Landry, 2 counts Simple Burglary, 6 years hard labor on each count
4. Robert Howze, Failure to Register as Sex Offender, 2 years hard labor
5. Deandrus Mitchell, Attempted Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, 3 years hard labor
6. Paxton Bass, Simple Burglary, 5 years hard labor, suspended, 2 years active supervised probation
7. Tekoa Schexnider, Criminal Mischief, 6 months parish jail
8. Alex Hillard, Attempted Molestation of Juvenile, Presentence Investigation
9. Ray Bourque, Jr., Molestation of Juvenile, Aggravated Crime against Nature, 31 years hard labor
10. Austin Segura, Felony Theft, 2 years hard labor
11. Chase Trahan, Cruelty to a Juvenile, Simple Burglary, Presentence Investigation

Lafayette Parish

1. Elijah Ross, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Robbery, 18 months hard labor
2. Desamon George, Second Degree Battery, 3 years hard labor
3. Kwama Wilson, Simple Burglary, 3 years hard labor
4. Erica Chapman, Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Arrest, 18 months hard labor
5. Steven Gass, Possession of Methamphetamine, 10 months hard labor
6. Karl Guidry, 2 counts of Home Invasion, 10 years hard labor
7. Stephanie Guidry, Possession of Legend Drugs and Cruelty to the Infirmed, 10 years hard labor
8. Mark Prejean, Possession of Schedule II/Hydrocodone, 12 months hard labor
9. Matthew Lucas, Possession of Heroin, 3 years hard labor, 3 years active supervised probation.

Submitted by District Attorney Keith Stutes.

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Jade Richard Viator

Mon, 08/06/2018 - 4:34pm

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Jade Richard Viator, 40, will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 from 10:00AM until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 12:00PM.
A native Erath and a resident of Coteau, Mr. Viator died at 7:39AM on Friday, August 3, 2018 at Oschner Hospital in New Orleans. He was known for his work as a painter throughout the community. Jade loved sports and hanging out with family and friends.
He is survived by his spouse of eight years, Kalli Fremin of Coteau; a son, Knoxx Viator of Coteau; a daughter, Harli-Grace Viator of Coteau; his mother, Helen Benoit Viator of Erath; a sister, Kesha and her husband Francis Touchet, Jr. of Abbeville; a godchild, Maci Viator; and four nephews, Carson Touchet, Austin Touchet, Jean-Paul Touchet, and Jacques Touchet.
He was preceded in death by his father, Steve Richard Viator, paternal grandparents, Percy and Goldie Louviere Viator; and maternal grandparents, Wilson Lloyd and Annie Mae Romero Benoit.
Serving as pallbearers will be Francis Touchet, Jr., Damien Burgess, Kenric “Mushy” Fremin, Coty Romero, Jacob Landry, Trevor Trahan, and Anthony Trahan.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

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James “Jimmy” Richard Jr.

Mon, 08/06/2018 - 4:32pm

December 14, 1953 ~ August 5, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at an 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of James Rodney Richard Jr., 64, who died Sunday, August 5, 2018 at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Joe Crane, Jude Duhon, Bubba Broussard, Andrew Richard, Jordan Schexnayder and Christian Richard.
Jimmy’s passions were the rice business, hunting, fishing and cooking for friends and family. He cherished his granddaughters and loved entertaining his friends and family.
Jimmy was a kind, forgiving and understanding man who will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy C. Richard; son, Andrew James Richard of Abbeville; daughter, Amelia Richard Schexnayder and her husband, Jordan of Arnaudville; three granddaughters, Madison Claire Schexnayder, Reese Jordan Schexnayder and Lola Grace Richard; mother, Velma Frederick Richard; brother, Jude Richard and his wife, Terrie of Kaplan; and sister, Mary Agnes Richard of Lake Charles.
He was preceded in death by his father, J. Rodney Richard, Sr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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Michael Wayne Broussard

Mon, 08/06/2018 - 4:31pm

February 6, 1960 ~ August 4, 2018

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday August 8, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville honoring the life of Michael Wayne Broussard, 58, of Baton Rouge, who died Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at Lady of The Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. Burial will be at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery in Abbeville.
Mike was a resident at Landsbury Home, managed by Restcare, Inc. in Baton Rouge, where he enjoyed participating in the daily activities at Brightside. Mike had an infectious smile that brought joy to all those around him. He brought happiness and incredible love into the lives of those who knew him.
Mike is survived by his parents Curtis and Gloria Luquette Broussard; his aunt, Trina L. Broussard, her children Randall Broussard and Tara B. Dulakabis and many cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Danaville and Wilma H. Luquette; his paternal grandparents, Vernest and Shirley L. Broussard; his uncle and godfather, Clyde D. Broussard; and godmother Eunice H. Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
The family would like to offer a special thanks to the staff at Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. The family expresses a heartfelt appreciation to the Entire staff and caregivers at Landsbury home in Baton Rouge for the excellent and loving care they provided for Mike.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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