Category: Obituary

Obituary: Ernest E. Kiger

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Obituary for Ernest E. Kiger

Ernest E. Kiger, resident of Cut Off, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church on Saturday, September 9th from 9 am until service time. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 am.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 38 years, Beth Talamo Kiger; children, Ernest Jr. (Wonda), Keith Kiger (Landie), Clifford Kiger, Timmy Johnfroe, Donna K. Billiot (Charley), Jennifer K. Starks (Kerry), Hollie R. Kiger (William) and Jennifer Bonvillian; 34 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Sally K. Cheramie (Terry) and Irma K. Dardar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius Kiger and Lucy Billiot Kiger; sons, Richard and Jarrod Kiger; daughter, Lori Ann Kiger; brother, Roy Kiger; sisters, Juanita K. Ungar, Bernice K. Naquin, Gustassa Verdin, Janice K. Billiot, Annie Kiger and Mary Jane K. Billiot.

Ernest was a devoted family man whom never met a stranger. Had a passion for horses and animals. Spent his entire life helping and giving to others. He was a retired Boat Captain. Ernest will be sadly missed by many.

Falgout Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ernest E. Kiger please visit our Sympathy Store.

Obituary: Andrew John Cascio

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Andrew John Cascio

 

Andrew John Cascio 67, won the biggest race of his life when St. Peter opened the Gates of Heaven on Friday, August 18, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 4700 Palmetto Road, Benton, Louisiana, at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery, in Bossier City, Louisiana. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Officiating the services will be Father Charles Glorioso and Father Kelby Tingle.

Andrew John Cascio was born on June 23, 1956, to Johnnie and Concetta Miciotto Cascio in Shreveport, Louisiana, and left behind his beloved wife and best friend, Angelina Cush of 47 years, their three beautiful daughters, and six wonderful grandchildren to continue his legacy.

Andrew was a graduate of Fair Park High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University, currently known as ULM, for a short time before returning home to be married to Angelina. Soon after they started their family, and he began his career at General Motors Shreveport. Andrew was a hard worker and at times worked three jobs to provide for his family. He retired in 2009 after 30 years of dedicated service. He was honored with an award of perfect attendance for never missing a day of work.

His second love and favorite pastime, thoroughbred racing, began in the 80s and continued to grow throughout his life. Later he became a very successful owner, trainer, and breeder. He would spend hours day and night researching for proper maintenance and health of his thoroughbreds for optimal performance. He was able to devote more time after retirement where he was able to care for them daily at his farm. One of his proudest moments was winning the $100,000 Arkansas Bred Race.

Above all, Andrew was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, affectionately known as “Papa”. He was a devoted husband and a shining example of true love, commitment, and dedication to his three daughters, whom he was so proud of. He absolutely adored his grandchildren and spending quality time with them. Due to his traditional Catholic-Italian upbringing, he was able to instill those values in his own family. He was an active member of St. Catherine’s and Cathedral of St. John Berchmans for many years. He always put family first and instilled those values in his daughters and their families.

He took care of anyone in need and gave his time, talent, and treasure to help a friend or stranger. He was a genuine kind soul and whether family or friend you were blessed to know him. He is loved beyond measure and will be missed by so many. Although this is a great loss for us all, we can find great comfort just knowing that he is finally standing in the Winner’s Circle of Heaven.

Andrew is preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Anthony Cush and brother-in-law, Michael Cush. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Angelina Cush; daughters, Ashley Timmons and husband, Chris, Alicia Cascio-Lafitte and husband, Jeremy and April Cascio; six grandchildren, Ethan, Andrew, Evelyn, Harper, GianLuca and Haven; brothers, Michael Cascio and Roy Cascio and wife, Charlotte; sister, Connie Norton and husband, Tom; uncles, George Cascio and Anthony Cascio and wife, Martha along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Honoring Andrew as pallbearers will be his nephews, Chris Cascio, John Norton, Eric Norton, Jason Cascio, Kevin Cush Jr. and Chase Duggins. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his siblings, Roy Cascio, Michael Cascio, Connie Norton, and Kevin Cush Sr.

Obituary: Kenneth Joel LaVergne, Sr.

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Kenneth Joel LaVergne, Sr.

October 15, 1932  –  August 8, 2023

 

OPELOUSAS ~ Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 at a 12:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Word in Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel in Carencro for Kenneth Joel Lavergne, Sr., age 90, who passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings.

Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas. Deacon David Menard, will officiate at the services.

Mr. LaVergne was a native of Opelousas and lifelong resident of Sunset. He was a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church where he served as a Lecturer. Mr. LaVergne attended the University of Houston from which he received his Doctorate in Pharmaceuticals. After completing this doctorate, he joined the military. He is a proud veteran of the United States Army and served in the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” as a medic during the Korean conflict; Mr. LaVergne returned to Louisiana and became the owner/operator of Sunset Pharmacy. He also worked as a relief pharmacist at several local pharmacies throughout the years.

Mr. LaVergne was a thoroughbred breeder and was on the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board of Directors in the early decades of the program.

Survivors include his five sons, Kenneth Joel LaVergne, Jr. of Honey Grove, Tx, Clyde LaVergne and his wife, Chanda, of Lewisburg, Brett Duval LaVergne and his wife, Judy, of Youngsville, Thomas Donahue LaVergne and his wife, Lori, of Arnaudville, and Rene’ LaVergne and his wife, Sonya, of Little Rock, AR; his former wife, Willie Nezat LaVergne Fruge; one sister, Libbye Crump; nine grandchildren, Tucker LaVergne and his wife, Paige, Bethany LaVergne, Brett LaVergne and his wife, Cali, Olivia LaVergne, Brun LaVergne and his wife, Tai, Alex LaVergne Doucet and her husband, Grant, Allison LaVergne, Jessica LaVergne and Zachary LaVergne; and five great-grandchildren, Cohen LaVergne, Celia LaVergne, Clyde Andrews LaVergne, Wilson Daniel LaVergne, and Annie LaVergne.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph LaVergne, and the former Louise Sibille; four brothers, L.J. LaVergne, Eugene LaVergne, Carrol LaVergne, and Bernard LaVergne; and three sisters, Irma Quirk, Lillian Barry, and Roslyn Soileau.

A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home led by his son Rene’ LaVergne.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday and will continue from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday.

Pallbearers will be Tucker LaVergne, Zachary LaVergne, Brun LaVergne, Noah Fusilier, Cohen LaVergne, and Brett LaVergne.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kenneth, please visit our Tree Store.

Obituary: Darlene Efthemes Kibodeaux

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Darlene Efthemes Kibodeaux, age 80, who passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023 peacefully at her home with her husband and family lovingly by her side.

Darlene was a resident of Carencro, LA, although she was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. She had a successful career as a jockey agent for many of the top riders in South Louisiana, and traveled to many horse racetracks in the country. Additionally, she worked as a placing judge for Evangeline Downs Racetrack, and in the telephone industry at Pacific Bell in Canoga Park, CA and Bell South in Crowley, LA.

Darlene was strong willed and courageous in all she did, but had a heart of gold and was equally generous, loyal, and easy to create a bond with. She was full to the brim with stories and knowledge of the most interesting life experiences, and could spend hours storytelling to any eager listener. She was also an avid sports fan, and was a longtime supporter of Carencro High Football. She coached both men’s recreational baseball and women’s softball for several years. She also loved to be outdoors, riding 4-wheelers in Forest Hills, LA and going on horse trail-rides wherever the trails would lead her.

Among her many special talents and gifts, her greatest was being a devoted mother and grandmother. She was immensely proud of three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren that she cherished, and that she spent much of her time doting on. As the matriarch, she raised her family with strong values and built a legacy of love, commitment, and bravery. She was mighty, honest, and resilient in every way. As she would put it, she was a “hard-headed Greek.” You would be a fool to mess with her, but to know her was to love her; and that love was reciprocated unconditionally. She had a genuine soul, and will be remembered for all the heart she shared with her friends and family. Darlene, a wife, mother, friend and “mawmaw” will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Andrus Kibodeaux; one son, Michael Trahan and wife Tanya; two grandsons, Chase Courville and wife Rachel, and Clay Courville and fiance Brylie Guidry; one granddaughter, Madison Trahan; and two great-grandchildren, Cohen and Adley Courville; one brother-in-law, Lee Smith; two neices, Mindy Smith Miller and Laurie Duchesne; one nephew, Anthony Efthemes; and many more dear friends and family members.

She is also survived by two step-children, Andrus (Pee-Wee) Kibodeaux Jr. and Lisa Smith; 3 step grandchildren, Michael Kibodeaux, Ashley Braus, and Heather Smith; 5 step-great-grandchildren Landon Wilbanks, Tristen Breaux and Phillip, Preston, and Cullen Kibodeaux.

She was proceeded in death by her beloved daughter Billie-Jo Trahan Courville; her parents, William and Adalene Efthemes; Brothers, William “Bill” Efthemes and Robert “Bob” Efthemes; Sisters, Thorneta “Toni” Smith, and Debora “Debbie” Taylor; close friends, Milton and Juanita “Ms. Nita” Rice and Patricia “Pat” Smith.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Heart of Hospice – Acadiana, especially Treashur Naquin and Dyjunera “Dee” Charles for their continuous efforts and care.

Obituary: Phyllis Tidwell Wood

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Funeral services for Ms. Phyllis Tidwell Wood will be held at 4:00PM, Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Griffin Funeral Home located at 911 Warren Drive in West Monroe, LA, with Pastor Lewis Bartett officiating. Family will accept friends for visitation from 2:00PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Phyllis was born on September 22, 1943, in Wilhite, LA, and passed away peacefully from this life on July 20, 2022, at her home in Vixen, LA. She was a custodian at Pinecrest Elementary School and loved her job because of the kids. She loved to be around children.

Her favorite pass time was anything that had to do with horses. She had a love for horses like no other. She was a long time member of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dallas Tidwell and Flossie Foster Tidwell; brother, Marty Tidwell.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Slade Gilbert; brother, Gary Tidwell and wife Ann; special friend, JR Mayo. She is also survived by an extended host of family and friends.

Mandy Lynn Delahoussaye, 47, Passes Away

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Daughter of Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye.

 

Mandy Lynn Delahoussaye passed away Dec. 30 at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, La. She was the daughter of retired jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1993. Eddie Delahoussaye serves as a commissioner with the Louisiana Racing Commission and on the board of directors for the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation.

The Martin & Castille Funeral Home-Southside in Lafayette will host a visitation Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. CT, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Martin & Castille’s La Fleur de Lis Chapel. Deacon Cody Miller will officiate the memorial. A private inurnment will be held later in the Holy Family Cemetery and Mausoleum in New Iberia.

 

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Obituary: Yvette Barbazon

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Yvette Barbazon passed away, Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the age of 74. A well respected horsewoman, Barbazon had been the long time farm manager at Clear Creek Stud for many years before retiring several years ago.

A funeral service will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 at St. John’s Church, 11345 St. John Church Road, Folsom, LA.

Family Viewing from 9:00-9:30 a.m.
Visitation from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Bogue Falaya Cemetery
Following the burial, a reception will be held back at St. John’s Hall.

In lieu of flowers, a monetary donation to help offset funeral expenses can be made directly to:
Bridget Barbazon.
14263 C Gotti Rd
Folsom, LA 70437
985-264-3038

Anyone wishing to bring a dish for the reception, may bring it to the Hall at the church starting at 9:00.

JACOB MORREALE OBITUARY

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Jacob Vincent Morreale, age 90 peacefully went to heaven on 12/13/2022. He was born to Vincent A. Morreale and Angelina C. Morreale on 2/17/1932 in Bay St. Louis, MS. He graduated from St. Stslaus and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Physical education from Southeastern Louisiana University. While attending SLU He was chosen as the baseball team captain and named to the All-Conference team. Following SLU he coached baseball (and all sports) at Morgan City High School before joining the Army during the Korean War where he pursued his love of boxing. Jacob continued his professional boxing career which culminated him being the AAU Golden Glove Champion in 1966. He then became a Thoroughbred horse trainer where he won his first race in 1971. His passion and love of this sport drove him to be successful enough to get to the Kentucky Derby in 1978 with his “big grey” Chief of Dixieland. His amazing career with so many long shots led him to his racetrack nicknames, “Jake the snake and Jake the rake” up until he retired at 83 in 2013. ” My ” job” never felt like I worked a day in my life” he often said. Jacob is preceded in death his parents, Vincent and Angelina Morreale, his sister Patricia Morreale Garriga and his former wife Lydia Marcelle Morreale. Jacob is survived by his loving daughter, Monette Marcelle Morreale, his adoring grandson Jace Jacob Khashou, his brother Martin Morreale and his brother-in-law Jerry Garriga (Patricia). His nieces and nephews Vincent Garriga, Gerald Garriga, James Garriga( Denise), Tony Garriga (Elesha), Jay Jay Garriga (Kristie), Matthew Garriga(Melissa), Bridgette Harbin(Kirk), Marty Ann Flecher (Joe) Vinny Morreale; so many family and friends loved him dearly. JV was a devout Catholic and a well-respected hard-working man whose smile was infectious, laugh was contagious, and baby blue eyes were penetrating. A true legend at heart. Rest easy “CHAMP” Visitation will be at Jacob and Schoen Funeral home on Thursday, December 22, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. The burial will be at St. Mary’s cemetery at the Italian Tomb/ Society in Bay St. Louis.

Obituary: Bobbie Ellen Laviolette

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Breaux Bridge – A private memorial service will be held for Bobbie Ellen Laviolette, 74, who passed away on December 12, 2022, at Ochsner St. Martin Hospital.

Bobbie Ellen Laviolette was born on July 3, 1948, in New Orleans. She enjoyed being outdoors and sitting on her front porch. She adored laughing and making others laugh, listening to classic country music, enjoying a glass of wine, and her dog. Bobbie cherished and loved her family and making memories with them. She loved to love and had love for everyone. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her son, Wayne Talley; stepsons, Shane Laviolette and Patrick Laviolette and his wife, Mazie; grandchildren, Jonathan Talley (Abbie), Nicole Fontenot (Ben), and Sara Talley; step grandchildren, Easton, Eyrelin and Nash Laviolette; great-grandchild, Zion Collins; and her brother, Frank Sherman (Anne).

She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Laviolette; daughter, Barbara Talley; a stepson, Lennon Laviolette; and her parents, Robert and Gloria Zimmerman Sherman.

Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.