Obits - September 25

ARVIN ‘JOE’ SOILEAU
February 20, 1925 - September 22, 2008
MAMOU - Funeral services were held for Arvin “Joe” Soileau, 83 of Vidrine, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou at 11 a.m., Wednesday. September 24. Burial followed in the Platin Cemetery.
A native of Mamou, Mr. Soileau died Monday, September 22, 2008, at Savoy Care Center in Mamou. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in World War II. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather,
Survivors include his loving wife, Maryilyn M. Soileau of Vidrine; one loving son, James C. Soileau of Vidrine; two loving daughters, Donna S. Fontenot and her husband, Vorance Glen, and Nancy Kay Soileau, all of Vidrine; one brother, Rollan Soileau of Mamou; one sister, Dorothy Schuff of Moss Bluff; five grandchildren, Melissa LeRoy, Jessica Dixon, Mary Jo Norris, Sarah Beth McGee and Jared Paul Soileau; and five great-grandchildren, Zachary Glyn LeRoy, Ty Austin Norris, Brandon Dale Norris, Jacob Ryan Dixon and Jesalyne Dixon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Lula Soileau; two sisters, Una May Mayeaux and infant Barbara Dean Soileau; and three brothers, Williard Soileau, Durffy Soileau and Burkman Soileau.
Father Bryce Sibley officiated.
Family and friends may view the obituary and sign the guestbook online at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Mamou was in charge of arrangements.

EWELL PITRE
WASHINGTON - Funeral services were held for Ewell Pitre, 99, of Plaisance, at the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas, Tuesday, September 23. Burial followed in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Washington.
A native of Prairie Rhonde, Mr. Pitre died at 8:38 a.m., Sunday, September 21, 2008, at his residence. He was a farmer for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors doing gardening and planting flowers. He was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother and friend. He was a member of the Wednesday Rosary Group, which began during WWII. He really enjoyed spending time with family and friends reminiscing about the good times. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include one son, Wilfred “Fred” Pitre of Plaisance; one sister, Helen Chapman of Pine Prairie; three grandchildren, Myra Lavergne of Prairie Rhonde, Karen Ortego of L’anse Aux Pailles and Tammy Pitre of Plaisance; three step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice Bordelon Pitre; his parents, Simon and Ledia Andrepont Pitre; one sister, Elta Pitre Fontenot; and one brother, Emar Pitre.
Father Nunez officiated.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.
Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas was in charge of arrangements.

MACK ALDON ANDRUS
Graveside funeral services will be held for Mack Aldon Andrus, 80, of Baton Rouge, at the Te Mamou Cemetery in Ville Platte, at 2 p.m., Friday, September 26.
A native of Ville Platte, Mr. Andrus died Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a retired engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Survivors include two nieces, Barbara Dando and Elaine Burgess and numerous nieces and nephews.
Greenoaks Funeral Home of Baton Rouge will be in charge of arrangements.

VIOLA MARIE RIDER
February 8, 1920 - September 24, 2008
Funeral services will be held for Viola Marie Rider, 88, of Ville Platte, at the Ardoin’s Funeral Home Chapel in Ville Platte at 1:30 p.m., Friday, September 26. Burial will follow in the Platin Cemetery.
Ms. Rider, whose favorite pastime was gardening, passed away at 3:45 a.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2008, at her residence. She was a loving mother, grandmother and sister.
Survivors include two sons, Mike Rider and Ron Rider, both of Lake Charles; one daughter, Susan Fontenot of Vidrine; three daughter in laws, Judy Hines of Lake Charles, Nannette Byars of Toledo Bend, and Loretta F. Rider of Vidor, Texas; three sisters, Earline Watson of Houston, Texas, Irene Perron of New Iberia and Jeanette Bartee of Colorado; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Rider; and one son, Carlwin Rider.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed today, September 25, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. and again on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Brother Kevin West will officiate.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.

JOHN ‘BURKE’ AUCOIN
November 8, 1933 - September 23, 2008
CHATAIGNIER - Funeral services will be held for John “Burke” Aucoin, 74, of Eunice, at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Chataignier at 10 a.m., Friday, September 26. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
A native of Ville Platte, Mr. Aucoin died at 9:50 p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at Savoy Medical Center in Mamou.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Jean Tidwell Aucoin of Eunice; three sons, Randy Aucoin of Eunice and Mike Aucoin and Ray Aucoin, both of Opelousas; one brother, Ray Aucoin of Ville Platte; two sisters, Nettie Brown and Betty Guillory, both of Ville Platte; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild,
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jules and Allina Fontenot Aucoin.
Visitation will be held today, September 25, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., with a rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m., and will resume again from 8 a.m. until the time of services Friday.
Condolences may be sent to www.lavillefuneralhome.net.
LaVille Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.