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Blaise Huval

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00AM on Saturday, September 15, 2018 in St. Alphonsus Church for Blaise Huval, 79, who passed away on September 10, 2018.
Reverend Paul Bienvenu, Pastor will be Celebrant of the Mass.
Burial will take place in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.
Blaise, a resident of Maurice, was the son of the late Sidney Huval and the former Rita Broussard.
He is survived by three daughters, Jackie Michaud, Tammy Martini and Abbie Huval; two sons, Reed Huval and Phillip Huval; four grandchildren, Katelyn Huval, Courtney Huval, Jade Huval and Lily Huval; one great granddaughter, Maya; one sister, Fay Huval and one brother, Ray Huval.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Wade Huval.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home on Friday, September 14, 2018 from 2:00PM to 8:00PM. A Rosary will be recited at 6:00PM on Friday evening in the funeral home. Visiting hours will continue on Saturday from 8:00AM until the time of service.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Huval 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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Billie Wayne Broussard

July 27, 1934 ~ September 11, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Billie Wayne Broussard, 84, who died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice.
She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Fr. Michael Richard officiating the services.
After graduating from Abbeville High School, Billie attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute in nearby Lafayette, La. While there, she held a campus job working in the switch board office. Her major was English with a minor in Library Science. She graduated in three years.
Billie’s teaching career took her to Abbeville, Maurice and Henry High Schools. She taught English and was also a librarian. She was the librarian at Maurice Elementary for 3 years until her retirement. During her teaching career, she was involved with and enjoyed her affiliation with the Louisiana Librarians Association and made many friends.  She retired from the Vermilion Parish School System in 1990.
She had been a member of Broussard Family Reunion (La Famille Beausoleil).
She was inducted as a Living Legend of the Acadian Museum on June 6, 2015. She also had the privilege in helping Warren Perrin in editing/proofing his book “Vermilion Parish”.
She is survived by her three sons, Jude Roy Broussard, Joe E. Broussard and his wife Lorraine, and James Boyd Broussard all of Abbeville; one daughter, Anne B. Skipton and her husband Don of Tomball, TX; and eight grandchildren, Amy Harris and her husband Sean, Jacob Broussard, Zachary Broussard, Phillip Broussard, Cassie Broussard, Shawn Broussard, Mallory Broussard and Austin Broussard.
She was preceded in death by her husband, R.F. Broussard; parents, Eustis Broussard and the former Willie Mae Waller; and one brother, J.E. “Spanky” Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, September 14, 2018 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Mt. Carmel School of Abbeville, Development Fund, 405 Park Ave., Abbeville, LA 70510.
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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Heidie Stelly Romero

State Police arrest Kaplan woman

A Kaplan women was arrested by the Louisiana State Police on forgery and filing or maintaining false public records.
Heidie Stelly Romero, 33, of Kaplan, was an employee of the state Office of Motor Vehicles.
According to the arrest report, she was charged with three counts of filing or maintaining false public records, one count of forgery and one count of malfeasance in office. She was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on August 27.
The report also stated she was providing the motor vehicle inspection stickers to a friend who owns a tint shop. She worked in the Office of Motor Vehicle office in Lafayette.
The alleged filing of false records began in October 2017, the report states.
State Police were called by the Office of Motor Vehicles back in July to investigate, the records state.
Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer Thomas Gossen said the investigation is ongoing.

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Guidry appointed new Kaplan City Clerk

While the third time is a charm for some people, it was a fourth time that proved to be to work for Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel’s city clerk appointee, Heather Guidry.
Guidry will replace Christine Trahan who had been the city clerk for the past 13 years and stepped into her new role Wednesday, September 5.
“I would first like to say thank you to Mayor Kloesel,” said Guidry. “I know this has been a challenging time, but I appreciate you so much for believing in me. I know you and I will work well together and I am looking forward to our growth during your term. I would also like to thank the City Council for accepting me as the Mayor’s appointment for City Clerk.
“I look forward to working with all of you in moving our city forward.
“Finally, thank you to the citizens of Kaplan for the continued support. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as your City Clerk.”
The measure was approved during a special city council meeting last Tuesday.
Kloesel took office July 1 and had asked for the council’s approval of the appointment of Guidry during the past three council meetings, but was always rejected.
Voting for the appointment were council members Dirk Gary, John Carbaugh, Justin Johnson and Melissa Guidry.
Voting against was Eva Dell Morrison.
After the vote passed, the floor was open to comments from the members.
Councilman J.J. Johnson was the first to explain his vote.
“I didn’t get a chance like I wanted to go out and talk to more people in my district about this matter,” Johnson said, “but after looking at a few things and talking to some people at city hall and people in town, that is what convinced me to vote the way I did today.”
Johnson went on to say that if anyone in his district would like a more detailed explanation on his vote to get in touch with him.
“On top of that, I hope I did the right thing for District C and for the City of Kaplan.”
Mayor Kloesel also expressed his pleasure on the appointment being approved.
“I feel like this is going to be a start of my administration,” he said. “ I want to say that we have worked close together and agreed on many things and we have disagreed on many things.
“For the good of Kaplan, I think that we will continue to do that and work together and I look forward to working with everyone on the council for the next four years.”
Morrison said that even though she had cast a nay vote, she has spoken to Guidry on many occasions and feels that she is capable of doing the clerk’s job.
“I have no problem working with anybody, and congratulations Heather,” she said.

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Carter Jace Waller

ERATH – Funeral Services for Carter Jace Waller, 5 months, will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 10:00AM until 10:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 8:00AM until the time of the services.
Carter was born March 13, 2018 and died at his residence in Erath on September 3, 2018. Just so pure innocent and sweet, Jesus needed our baby boy, his son you see. Oh how I hurt, and how we all hurt, our hearts are broken, weighing heavy on us. Though he shall never feel pain or fear not even in a dream, as Carter has now gained his baby wings. Carter Jace my baby boy and all of our king, he is such a beautiful blessing and oh so innocent and sweet.
Little Man was always so happy, his smile, his giggle, his beautiful wide smile from ear to ear. Carter always awoke next to mommy and just as we’d make eye contact I’d say “good morning my baby” he’d open his mouth so beautifully big. Sharing so much life and love with and to each of us. Carter was so sensitive, when touching his little body, rather it was play time or not, Little Man couldn’t hold it in, he’d break squirm, smile, tense up, giggle, and laugh on so loud and sweet.
He will forever and always be with each of us, although he was 10 days shy of 6 months old, “our son” will still grow with each of us. Addilynn one Carter’s big sisters also misses him so very much she loved and loves that baby oh so very much. Their bond was already inseparable, she always wanted “Bubba” so caring and so much love for him. Those two are 13 months to the day apart and besides their size difference they could have passed for twins. I’m so very torn! We are all broken, shattered, and sad. Carter is now forever and always our own personal baby angel, watching over each of us always and forever.
We Love You “Little Man”
He is survived by his parents, Ritchie Waller of Abbeville and Victoria LeBlanc of Erath; three sisters, Addilynn Rose Waller of Erath, Ainsley Waller of Maurice, and Abigail Rae Waller; his maternal grandmother, Vicky Moneaux Sowers and her husband Michael of Erath; his maternal grandfather, Clayt LeBlanc of Erath; his maternal great grandmother, Hazel LeBlanc of Delcambre; his paternal grandmother, Jenise Waller Hebert and her husband Gary of Abbeville; his paternal great grandmother, Margerite Mitchell; three aunts, Janice Gary, Katelynd LeBlanc, and Tori Hebert; and two uncles, Daniel Hebert and Jesse Waller.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ritchie Geautreaux; his maternal great grandparents, Reley and Maryland Moneaux; a maternal great grandfather, Murphy LeBlanc; and his paternal great grandfather, Samuel Mitchell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ritchie Waller, Aaron Hebert, and Michael Sowers.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences on line at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

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James H. Touchet

December 3, 1948 ~ September 4, 2018

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of James H. Touchet, 69, who died on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at Nunez Baptist Cemetery with Reverend Kyle Coates officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua, Jason, Joseph, Luke, Elvis, and Lance Touchet.
He is survived by his three sisters, Carolyn Touchet of Kaplan, Hazel Miller of Abbeville, and Elzie Overland of Laurel, MS; two brothers, Kelton Touchet of Gueydan and Freddie Touchet, Jr. of Kaplan; several nieces and nephews; and his best friend for over 20 years, William Meche.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie Touchet, Sr. and the former Aurore Breaux; two sisters, Hilda Bourque and Eve Touchet; and two brothers, Huey Touchet and Wilbert Touchet.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, September 14, 2018 from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM; Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 8:00 AM until services.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Sierra Weber, Jeanne LeJeune, Della Touchet, and Joshua Touchet for their love and compassion during his final days of life.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Touchet family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Douglas Villien Sr. to be honored as ‘Living Legend’

Andy Perrin, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Acadian Museum, announces that the Acadian Museum will induct Douglas Villien Sr. into its Order of Living Legends on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.  The event will take place at Le Musée à Maurice, 218 Chief H. Fred Street, Maurice, Louisiana.
Douglas Villien, Sr. was born October 27, 1950 in Abbeville, Louisiana, the parish seat of Vermilion Parish. In 1968, after graduation from Vermilion Catholic High School, he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette where he graduated in 1972 with a BA degree in city & regional planning and geography. While attending USL he met his wife, Karen Dubea of Marksville, Louisiana. They were married in August of 1972.
In September, 1972, Villien went to work as a city planner for the East Baton Rouge City-Parish Planning Commission in Baton Rouge until his retirement in 2001. During his semi-retirement years, he has been a private land planning consultant, an author and volunteer for the LSU Rural Life Museum at Baton Rouge and Boy Scouts of America.
Villien has maintained an interest in genealogy and local history since early childhood. His father, Dr. Paul O. Villien, Sr. of Abbeville kept meticulous ancestry records of family and facts of local history especially that of Maurice, Louisiana. The Village of Maurice was founded by Jean-Maurice Villien, Villien’s great-grandfather.
In 2009, Villien embarked on a project to write a detailed biography about Jean-Maurice Villien. However, the endeavor turned into an in depth research project on the history of the town and its 100 years of growth. In December 2011, Villien’s works were incorporated into an extensive special edition in the Abbeville Meridional, celebrating the village’s 100th birthday. In his book Between the Crossroads: A Centennial History of Maurice, Louisiana, Villien chronicles the one hundred year evolution of Maurice and the settlers who came to colonize on Prairie Vermilion. His book was the first to examine the history of this community. In this work he provides an overview of settlers and their role in development of early commerce and institutions. From family collections, ecclesiastical registers, federal census reports and municipal records he unveils a collection of wonderful information about a modern day hamlet in south Louisiana.
In 2012, Villien ventured onto a second book project which was fostered by research conducted on Maurice history. A one hundred year old photo album, preserved by his grandmother, contained dozens of rare and never before published images of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The photo album was given to Maude Gaidry (Villien) by William B. Hart. The two never married, but she kept the album until she died. Following three years of research, the album became the basis for a book entitled, Forgotten Baton Rouge, a best seller among history books in the Baton Rouge area. The book covers the progressive period between the 1890s and 1930s, a period of Baton Rouge’s greatest growth. The album is now on permanent display in the Louisiana State Library. The Old State Capitol Museum at Baton Rouge recently held a sixty day exhibit containing images from his grandmother’s album and his book Forgotten Baton Rouge. In 2016 he was a featured author and speaker at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge.
In 2016, Villien completed a third book entitled The Artwork of Doug Villien: A collection of lifelong sketches. Villien has been an artist his entire life. He has enjoyed the title of being a “Sunday Artist,” however, he endeavored as a part time commercial artist for more than forty years. Many of the sketches in his book preserve and capture the details of folklife and wildlife in south Louisiana.
In 2018, he finished his fourth book, Des Montagnes aux Prairies / From Mountains to Prairies. This work illustrated by Villien, depicts over thirty hand painted scenes. Each scene describes a telling piece of village history which includes narratives about its founder and villagers. The Village of Maurice celebrates its existence of more than a century as a French and English-speaking town in southwest Louisiana. This work is intended to preserve local history and cultural heritage which define its locale. It is presented in French and English for the purpose of advancing and supporting Louisiana’s francophone initiatives.
Villien and his siblings have been supporting members and contributors in the efforts spearheaded by the Maurice Historical Preservation Society. The society now owns and operates Le Musée à Maurice. Le Musée is a true artifact of the village as it was once a part of the home and store of Jean-Maurice Villien.
His works have been featured in Country Roads Magazine, The Meridional, The Daily Advertiser, The Advocate, American Press, Tarentaise Hebdo (Vulmix, France) and other regional newspapers. Villien and his wife Karen have been residents of Baton Rouge and parishioners of St. George Catholic Church for 44 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.
For more information, you may call 937-0012, and visitwww.acadianmuseum.com to view a complete list of all prior inductees.

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Florine Joiner Gamble

February 28, 1931 ~ August 28, 2018

KAPLAN — Wake services will be conducted for Florine Joiner Gamble of Kaplan on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM at Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan. She will await the resurrection in the Inglewood Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
On Tuesday morning at 2:00 AM, the death angel visited Eastridge Nursing Home and bore the soul of our loved one, Sis. Florine Joiner Gamble. Sis. Florine was born on February 28, 1931 in Kaplan, Louisiana to Mr. Arthur Joiner and Mrs. Eva Mouton Joiner. She was reared in Kaplan and later moved to Los Angeles and lived there for more than 30 years. She met and married her husband, Curtis Gamble. They owned and operated Curtis Gamble Realty and several Board and Care Homes in Los Angeles for many years. After retirement they decided to move to Las Vegas where they remained until Mr. Gamble’s death. Mrs. Florine then decided to move back home in Kaplan to be with her family. She and her sister, Mrs. Belle would often be seen riding and visiting friends together. She has been a resident with her sister in Eastridge Nursing Home for several years.
She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Gwendolyn H. Rice (Ernest Sr.) of Abbeville; three step-daughters, Lois G. Grundy of Lancaster, TX, Thelma McCoy of Dallas, TX, and Yvonne Haynes of Dallas, TX; three grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Minor Wright of Abbeville; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Eva Mouton Joiner; her husband, Curtis Gamble; three sisters, Annie Mae J. Grogan, Doris J. Wright, and Mary Belle J. Duhon; one brother, Arthur Joiner, Jr.; two brothers-in-law, Murray Grogan, Sr. and Dennis Duhon; five sisters-in-law, Thelma Joiner, Robbie Lee Hill, Pearl Billips, Faye Stewart, and Lurline Jordan; one step-son, Curtis Gamble, Jr.; two step-granddaughters, Penny LeGendee and Francis Neal; and two nephews, Larry Grogan and Wayne Grogan.

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May Rose Abshire

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of May Rose Abshire, 85, who died Monday, September 10, 2018 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Nicholas DuPre’ officiating the services.
She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, John O. Abshire of Cow Island; four sons, Carl D. Abshire and his wife, Carlos of Forked Island, Patrick Abshire of Cow Island, Roderick Abshire of Kaplan, and Arnold Abshire of Cow Island; two daughters, Cynthia A. Trahan of Cow Island and Lisa A. and her husband, Raywood (T-Neg) Stelly of Forked Island; three sisters, Margie Fontenot of Lafayette, Joyce Istre of Kaplan, and Jane Landry of Abbeville; one brother, Dallas Fontenot of Kaplan; 14 grandchildren; and 25 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clemence Fontenot and the former Agnes Hebert; three brothers, Clemence Fontenot, Jr., Mervis Fontenot, and Robert Fontenot; three grandchildren, Lerin Abshire, April Abshire, and Jennifer Abshire; and three great grandchildren, Rose Rudd, Ariela Rudd, and baby Trahan.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Abshire family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548