Obituaries

JOSEPH D. FONTENOT
June 26, 1937 – February 25, 2021

Joseph D. Fontenot, 83, of Mamou, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021. A memorial will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou.
He is survived by his four children, Cynthia G. Dudding and spouse, John, Rachel L. Clavier and spouse, David, James K. Fontenot and spouse, Jan, and Michael W. Fontenot (Tonka) and spouse, Melissa; six grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Joseph is preceded in death by his wife, Betty T. Fontenot; and mother, Lilly Sonnier.

IVAN LEE JAMES FONTENOT
November 11, 1946 – March 3, 2021

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ville Platte for Ivan Lee James Fontenot, who was called to Heaven on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in New Orleans.
Father Andrew Killeen, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart, conducted the services.
Ivan was born and raised as an ambitious farmer and a driven auctioneer for 38 years. He, better known as “Colonel Ivan Fontenot,” will be remembered as a loving father who instilled hard work, determination, and a love for the great outdoors that his children carry into their families today. He also had a special place in his heart for his three dogs.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Dianne, of 56 years; daughters, Kim Pitre and husband, Mitch, of Grand Prairie, and Roxanne Miller and husband, Jamie, of Ville Platte; son, Eric Fontenot and wife, Mary, of Corpus Christi, Texas; sisters, Jessie Fontenot and Marlene Fontenot, both of Ville Platte; grandchildren, Gerrick, Seth, Amelia, Ryley, Brannon, Callie, Kamryn, Julianna; and six great-grandsons.
Ivan now rests in peace with his parents, John A. Fontenot and Mary “Icy” Soileau Fontenot; son, Shannon Fontenot; and grandson, Corey Fontenot.

RAPHAEL MAYEUX
August 29, 1930 – March 4, 2021

VILLE PLATTE – Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2021, for Raphael Mayeux, 90, who passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Lafayette.
Entombment took place at Sacred Heart Mausoleum under the direction of Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte.
At the request of the family, visitation took place at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte on Sunday, March 7, 2021, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Mr. Mayeux was born on August 29, 1930, in Vidrine to Oneal Mayeux and Ida Fontenot Mayeux.
He attended Vidrine and Mamou High Schools graduating in 1947. During his high school years, he worked as a farmhand until his 18th birthday. He loved boxing, but his parents disallowed the activity. He also enjoyed tennis, basketball, and track.
He then enlisted in the US Air Force having served in the Korean War and was stationed on Johnson Island in the mid Pacific. He worked as a cryptographer mainly but held many other assignments as well. At the time of his discharge, he reached the rank of staff sergeant.
After his discharge, he began studying electrical engineering at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette where he received his bachelor’s degree. He accepted a job as a outside plant engineer with Southern Bell Telephone company in Lafayette. After three years in Lafayette, he was transferred to Baton Rouge as an equipment engineer. After five years, he than accepted a position with Central Electric on the Polaris programs.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle M. Chiasson of Breaux Bridge; two sons, Fred Mayeux and wife, Priscilla, of Broussard, and Johnathan Mayeux of New Mexico; three grandchildren, Francis Marie Gay and husband, Dustin, Eric Wayne Curran and wife, Jennifer, and Andrew David Mann and wife, Jardin; eight great-grandchildren, Jake, Alex, Raidin, Beau, Greyson, Cole, and Natalie; and great-great granddaughter, Aubry Mayeux.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Oneal Mayeux Jr. and Ida Fontenot Mayeux; wife, Stella Mae Mayeux; infant daughter, Jennifer Mayeux; infant son, Christopher Mayeux; one grandson, Richard Mayeux; and his brother, Harold Mayeux.
Family and friends may leave condolences for the family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

FERNELLA “FERN” ANN ANDRUS
September 16, 1943 – March 3, 2021

Fernella “Fern” Ann Andrus, age 77 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Ormond Nursing and Care Center in Destrehan.
A service will be held at a future date in Ville Platte.
L. A. Muhleisen and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was born on September 16, 1943, in Ville Platte to Yves and Winnie (Fontenot) Andrus. She worked many years as a nurse. Her favorite things to do included crocheting afghans for all those she loved, reading, doing puzzles, watching Saints and LSU football, and, most of all, spending time visiting with family and friends.
Fern is survived by a brother, Halley W. (Mary) Andrus; nieces, Maria (Calvin) Cancienne and Charlene (Don) Morgan; and nephew, Bryant (Kim) Andrus. Also she is survived by a host of great nieces and nephews, Bryant Andrus II, Katelyn (Jack) Cancienne, Haley Morgan, Madison Cancienne, Donald Morgan III, Justin (Sarah) Hayes, Victoria (Dylan) Heyl and great-great nieces Sophie, Autum and Elizabeth.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Ormond Nursing and Care Center for its compassion, affection, attentiveness, and loving care.
“Sleep on now, and take your rest.” – Matthew 26:45
Please consider sharing your thoughts, favorite memory or condolences at www.muhleisen.com.

WILLIAM DON SMITH
November 28, 1948 – March 7, 2021

Funeral services for Mr. William Don Smith will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 11, 2021, at Eola Baptist Church, Bunkie. Mr. Smith, 72, of St. Landry, entered eternal rest on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at Mercy Regional Medical Center.
Reverend William Housely, Reverend Dennis LaFleur, and Reverend Roger Whittington will officiate.
Interment will follow in Duplissey Cemetery, Clearwater, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oakdale.

JOHN ELVIN REED
May 30, 1927 – March 7, 2021

MAMOU – Funeral services will be held at a 2 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou today, March 11, 2021, for John Elvin Reed, 93, who passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Mamou.
Father Billy Massie will be celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Entombment will take place in the New St. Ann’s Mausoleum under the direction of Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Mamou.
The family requested that visitation be observed at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Mamou on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. A Rosary was recited by Deacon Chuck Ortego on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume today, March 11, 2021, from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
John Elvin Reed was born on May 30, 1927, in Mamou to Herod and Ethel Reed. Elvin was an active parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. He prayed his Rosary daily, and, as he raised his children, he taught them how to pray. His family stated, “He loved God first, then family, and then the Town of Mamou.” A lifelong resident of Mamou, he took pride in his town and was very active in the community. He was the owner of Reed’s Pharmacy and a longtime member of the Mamou Rotary Club. Elvin was also named Man of the Year and Grand Marshal of the Bicentennial. He was credited for the construction of the “Mamou Cajun Capital of the World” sign. Not only was the Town of Mamou important to him, but so was Mamou High School. He could always be found at any athletic event cheering on the Green Demons. Elvin was a pillar of the Mamou community, and he loved to call Mamou his home.
He leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories, his loving wife of 57 wonderful years, Nary Tate Reed; two sons, Gary Reed and wife, Phyllis, and John Reed and wife, Lisa, both of Mamou; three daughters, Phyllis Vidrine and husband, Mickey, of Mamou, Roni Fruge and husband, Duane, and Mia McDaniel and husband, Shannon, both of Prairieville; 13 grandchildren, John Vidrine, Matthew Vidrine, Kim Vidrine, Chris Reed, Brandi Reed, Sara Savoy, Adam Fruge, Zack Fruge, Nick Fruge, Lindsay Blanchard, Lainey Gibson, Ferris McDaniel, and Riley McDaniel; and 14 great grandchildren.
Elvin is preceded in death by his parents, Herod and Ethel Reed; brothers, Elward Reed and Fulton Reed; and sister Velma Feucht.
Family and friends may leave condolences for the Reed family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

JAMES DONALD “JIM” SOILEAU
August 9, 1937 – March 8, 2021

VILLE PLATTE – Funeral services for Mr. James “Jim” Soileau, 83, were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mr. Soileau, a resident of Ville Platte, passed away Monday, March 8, 2021 at his residence.
Entombment followed in the Sacred Heart Mausoleum under the direction of LaVille Funeral Home.
Visitation began Wednesday, March 10, 2021, from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Katheline “Kat” Soileau, of Ville Platte; children, Kirk Soileau and wife, Denise, of Erath, Nick Soileau and wife, Rita, Jamie Vidrine and husband, Mike, both of Ville Platte, Matt Soileau and wife, Melissa, of Whiteville, Kyle Soileau and wife, Simmie, of Youngsville, and Jessica Soileau of Grand Prairie; sister, Cathy McDaniel and husband, Bob, of Ville Platte; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Pearl Pitre Soileau.
The guestbook can be signed online at www.lavillefuneralhome.net.