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James Duffy Hebert

James Duffy Hebert, 88, passed away in a New Orleans hospital on January 2, 2018.
Mr. Hebert was born on May 12, 1929 in Kaplan, LA to Edier and Enes Meaux Hebert.
He graduated from Meaux High School and later obtained a Masters of Science degree in Library Science. He also served his country honorably in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955. Mr. Hebert lived his adult life in the New Orleans area. He enjoyed cooking, traveling, and studying the French language.
He is survived by his sister, Marguerite Frances Hebert; sisters in law, Sally Hebert and Lilly Ann Hebert; and nieces and nephews, Paula Bordelon, Lea Carleton, Leslie Helakoski, Chuck Hebert, Susan Blackstone, John Hebert, Greg Hebert, Chris Hebert, Gerry Hebert, and Edward Hebert.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Charles Calvin Hebert and Robert Dale Hebert.
A graveside service will be held at Cossinade Cemetery in Kaplan, LA on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 10 AM under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Father Alan Trouille will officiate.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed atwww.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

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Brooke Pridgen (right) makes the donation.

Gulf Coast Bank employees fundraised for coworker, childhood cancer survivor

During the month of November Gulf Coast Bank’s employees fundraised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through various in-house fundraisers as well as a contribution from the bank.
Brooke Pridgen, who works in Gulf Coast Bank’s Loan Operations Center (LOC), is a childhood cancer survivor who spent much of her young life at St. Jude’s. She even served as their Bike-a-thon poster child for 3 years.
St. Jude’s contacted Pridgen, requesting she come in for testing to aid their research on adult childhood cancer survivors. When Pridgen went to the facility at the end of November she presented the funds raised by the Gulf Coast Bank employees.
“I was 4 years old when diagnosed,” Pridgen explained. “I was diagnosed on my parents 5th wedding anniversary (November 23th, 1988). My grandparents drove my parents and me to St. Jude’s after Thanksgiving dinner with our family.”
Pridgen had a Wilms Tumor, Stage IV, which is the most common form of kidney cancer in children and the fourth most common type of cancer in children.
“I had surgery to remove my left kidney (the tumor was four-five times the size of my kidney and was growing to my heart), chemo and radiation,” she said. “I took a total of three different types of chemo. I also received eight rounds of radiation to my chest and eight rounds of radiation to my abdomen.”
After her initial arrival at St. Jude’s, Pridgen remained at the hospital for a month. The frequency of her visits was steadily reduced and eventually shrank to once a year. Her final visit to the hospital took place shortly before her 19th birthday in 2003. Brooke went into remission six months after being diagnosed.
“At the age of four you hear the word cancer but you have no clue what this unique word means,” Pridgen said of her experience. “I think I remember the most tragic things . . . the day of my surgery being separated from my parents; my dad having to leave my mom and me to return to work; returning home after a month being away from younger brother, who is my best friend, and he not recognizing me was one of the hardest things. It was hard for me, at the time four, and my younger brother, at the time two, to understand what was going on in our little worlds.”
Despite the fear and tragedy of the events, Pridgen has many fond memories of St. Jude’s.
“My dad had come to St. Jude’s to visit me, I had not seen him in weeks,” she said. “It was my first time in my life seeing snow and I was still very ill, but I wanted to make a snow man. So my dad got some ice buckets from the hotel and scooped up some snow and he and I made a mini snowman in the tub.”
Pridgen said she is extremely thankful to her coworkers for their efforts.
“Gulf Coast Bank has some of the most loving and caring individuals,” she said. “I have never worked with such compassionate people and I am blessed to work for such an amazing company that is concerned about their community. All money raised goes to an amazing cause! While attending St. Jude’s, my parents never paid a cent to my treatment. All money raised helps keep the St. Jude’s HOPE alive!”
Gulf Coast Bank is a locally-owned and operated full-service banking institution with thirteen locations throughout Acadiana, including branches inside three area Walmarts.

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Suzette LeBlanc Schexnaider

DELCAMBRE – Suzette LeBlanc Schexnaider, a native of Delcambre, passed away peacefully at her home on December 29, 2017 surrounded by her family, after a short battle with cancer.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Sue’s life will be held Friday January 5 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Fr. Buddy Breaux will be the celebrant.
Suzette loved life and spending time with family and friends. She was loved by all and will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her stepfather, Raymond Duhon; two sisters, Vonda Roberts and husband Freddie and Mary Touchard and husband Clark; three brothers, Kim LeBlanc and wife Belinda, Walter LeBlanc and wife Lori, and Keith LeBlanc and wife Elena; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who knew her at “Tataunte”. She is also survived by her step-son, Reggie Schexnaider; her step-daughter, Leah Hilse; and two step-grandson, Rene’ and Lane Toups.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry Schexnaider; her mother, Loraine Duhon; her father, Dudley LeBlanc; and her sister, Anita LeBlanc.
In keeping with Sue’s wishes, her body was donated to LSU Health Science Center for the advancement of medical research and will be cremated afterwards. Upon return of her remains, she will be laid to rest with her mother at Holy Family Cemetery in New Iberia.
To view the online obituary and to share memories or condolences, please visit Sue’s memorial page at www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

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Rosemary Chiasson Dyson

February 14, 1926 ~ January 2, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 5, 2018 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Rosemary Chiasson Dyson, 91, who died Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Abbeville General Hospital. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. Michael Richard officiating the services.
Rosemary is survived by a brother, Earl J. Chiasson, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA; nephew, Wayne Theriot; niece, Phyllis Theriot Broussard; five great nieces and nephews; and five great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emilie Guzardo Chiasson and Earl Chiasson, Sr.; sister, Iris Chiasson Theriot; and great niece, Leah Anne Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Friday, January 5, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 9:45 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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Certain parts of Vermilion Parish under boil water advisory

The Waterworks District No. 1 and the Southeastern Water District in Vermilion Parish are experiencing problems with its water supply system due to low pressure.
The entire districts are under a BOIL ADVISORY. This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the waterworks districts.

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Too many people let the water run in the faucets, going the water pressure to fall.

Too many running faucets in Vermilion Parish causes water district to lose pressure

No pressure means no water for customers

Most of the residents in the Southeast Water District decided to run their faucets to prevent their pipes from freezing, but that created a big problem Wednesday morning in the water plant.
Wednesday at 3:30 a.m., Southeast Water District Supervisor Tony Richard watched as the three large water tanks almost emptied, because of so much water usage on the south and east end of Vermilion Parish.
The three tanks normally have a 23-foot high water level when the temperature is above 32 degrees.
The drop to six feet caused the water pressure to fall, which prevented the district from pumping water to its customers.
“It has been unbelivable,” said Richard. “We did not turn off the water. We just can not keep up with the usage.”
When the temperature is above 32 degrees, the water district pumps 600,0000 gallons a water a day. Due to everyone running their faucets, the usauge jumped to one million gallons a day.
The water plant could not pump enough water out of the ground to keep up with the demand, which caused the water tank levels to fall in all three tanks.
On Wednesday, with no water going out, the water plant was able to fill its three water tanks back up to capactity.
Richard was hoping with the water tanks full, the district can be supplying customers wiith water by Wednesday evening.
But the water district was not still not out of the woods. On Wednesday night, the temperature is expected to drop below 32 degrees again. Richard said his crew, who has already worked 24 straight hours, is expected to work the entire night, watching the water pressure once again.
Richard said he can not wait for the temperature to climb above 32 degrees so everyone can stop running their faucets.
Richard warns that customers will continue to be on a boil advistory at least for a few more days until tests on the water comes back postive for usage.

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Sheriff Mike Couvillon hands Sgt. Kim Verret her retirement plaque. Also in the photo are Col. Kirk Frith (right) and Major Darryl LeBlanc.

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Sheriff Mike Couvillon hands Lt. Joann Hargrave Housden her retirement plaque. Also in the photo are Col. Kirk Frith (right) and Major Darryl LeBlanc.

Two Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputies with combined 51 years experience are retiring

Due to retirement, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office is losing two deputies, who have more than 51 years of combined experience.
Saying goodbye to the Sheriff’s Office are Detective Sgt. Kim Verret and Detective Lt. Joann Hargrave Housden.
Housden’s final day was Dec. 31 of 2017, and Verret’s final day is Saturday.
Verret has more than 19 years of service. She began her career in law enforcement with the Sheriff’s Office in 1998 as a dispatcher, was later promoted to a corrections officer and then left the Sheriff’s Office for a short period where she worked at U.L.L. as a patrol officer and then returned in 2002 as a Detective Sergeant, having served in that capacity for over 15 years to date.
Verret serves on the Louisiana Homicide Investigators Association and the Louisiana Juvenile Officers Association, where she plans to remain active.
Her work for 15 years as a detective was primarily investigating and solving crimes, but over the years her interest evolved into investigating juvenile crimes, where she often became the point person for juvenile based crimes.
When asked what was most difficult for her over the years as a law enforcement officer Verret said without hesitation, “It was losing and burying a fellow deputy, it affects you forever. Besides that, for me the difficult times were never about one particular case or event, it was any time I felt I could not make an immediate difference to help a victim of a crime and on the opposite side of the statement, the self reward and sense of accomplishment I felt when I could bring good news to a victim, always made the job make perfect sense.”
Verret closed by saying that she had a great career, thanking former Sheriff Ray LeMaire for hiring her and Sheriff Mike Couvillon for the opportunity to continue her career and to be part of such a great team, cherishing the many friends she has made along the way and inside the “thin blue line family”.
Detective Lieutenant Joann Hargrave Housden has more than 32 years of service with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
She began her career in 1985 as a dispatcher, was promoted numerous times to include being promoted to Assistant Evidence Custodian and later to Evidence Custodian, promoted again as the first ever certified Crime Scene Investigator for VPSO and also the second officer in the state of Louisiana to be certified as a voice stress analyzer and finally promoted once more in 2004 to Detective Lieutenant, which is second in command of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division, the first female deputy at VPSO to hold that position.
When asked what was her most difficult time was being a law enforcement officer for 32 years, she also said that it was having to bury a fellow deputy.
“It tests every fiber of strength in you for a very long time,” Housden said. “Beyond that tragedy, I think these jobs have a lot of everyday challenges and hardships like working nights, weekends and holidays away from family, that in itself is a huge struggle. Aside the everyday struggles, the feeling of not being able to do more after you have done everything possible to help someone is very difficult and is something you have to deal with and overcome in these types of jobs. Although the job is difficult and the hardships real, the job becomes worth it ten times over each time you can make a difference in someone’s life when they absolutely need it. It’s a feeling that trumps all the hardships every time.”
She also thanked LeMaire for hiring her many years ago and Sheriff Couvillon for allowing her the opportunity to continue her law enforcement career and education.
Sheriff Mike Couvillon presented both soon to be retirees with a plaque recognizing their years of service to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“It has always been very difficult to see an employee leave the Sheriff’s Office regardless if it’s to seek other opportunities or by retirement because in affect we kind of lose track of one of our friends, a member of our team and part of our family, it’s never easy,” said Couvillon. “I thank both of these deputies for the many years of service they have given to the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of Vermilion Parish and I wish both of them the very best in whatever their next chapter brings.”
Col. Kirk J Frith, said, “I echo what the Sheriff said about being difficult to turn the page and not see these two deputies day in and day out on the job. It’s always hard to lose the type of experience we are losing now, over 51 years of it, but we have a great and capable young team eager to fill those shoes. I wish both of you the very best of luck whether it is to enjoy retirement with family or a desire to continue serving the public on a different capacity. I especially want to make note of the last line engraved on your plagues ... “May You Retire From The Sheriff’s Office … But NEVER Retire From Being Our Friend”.

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Ruth Vedalier Schexnaider

July 23, 1954 ~ January 1, 2018

Kaplan—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church honoring the life of Ruth Vedalier Schexnaider, 63, who died Monday, January 1, 2018 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Ronald J. Schexnaider; two sons, Reginald A. Schexnaider and his wife, Joana of Thibodaux and Michael J. Schexnaider and his wife, Theresa of Sevierville, TN; three grandchildren, Jolie Schexnaider, Rylie Schexnaider, and Kagan Schexnaider; one sister, Kathy Vedalier of Kaplan; three brothers, Rethman Vedalier and his wife, Christine of Kaplan, Newton Vedalier and his wife, Dixie of Lyons Point, and Patrick Vedalier and his wife, Dondie of Lafayette; one nephew, Lucas Vedalier and his wife, Macie; six nieces, Bridget Guidry, Crystal Adam, Amie and her husband, Charles Crawford, Bria Vedalier, Lindsey Vedalier, and Misty Landry; four great nieces, Madison Touchet, Aubree Vedalier, Samya Savoy, and Arayah Savoy; and her most cherished and loved great nephew, Drake Touchet.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph “T-Man” Vedalier and the former Hazel Rung; one brother, Lucas Paul Vedalier; and one niece, Jacqueta Istre.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Avenue, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 9:00 AM until the procession departs for the church with a rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.
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 Schexnaider family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Norris J. Green, Sr.

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Norris J. Green, Sr., 71, will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, January 3, 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 Pope John Paul II Hall in Erath on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 9:00AM until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 10:00AM.
A native of Lafayette and a resident of Erath, Mr. Green died at 5:00AM on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at his residence. He worked for Riviana Rice Mill for over 10 years, then Texaco/Hess Corp. where he retired after over 34 years of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the Grand Knight for 6 years and Trustee and church Director for the Council. Mr. Norris was a Trustee and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes Church; was known for his enjoyment of working in his garden and greenhouse, being on his tractor; and meeting people. He also was a committee member for the USDA Farm Service Agency.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Readom Green of Erath; his parents, Edward and Lulda Wiltz Green of Erath; two sons, Norris J. Green, Jr. and his companion Shelly of Abbeville and Nathan Green of Houston, TX; three daughters, Nichole Green of Erath, Brandi Green of Erath, and Meraiah Green Belcher and her husband Dr. Don Belcher Sr. of Murfreesboro, TN; four brothers, Loveless Green and his wife Retha, Martin Green and his wife Phyllis, Scottie Green and his wife Rachel, and Randy Green and his wife Linda; ten sisters, Betty Campbell and her husband Eugene, Margaret Green, Shirley Campbell and her husband Rev. Donald Campbell, Linda Green, Brenda Brailey, Dorita Cole and her husband Willard, Juanita Perro and her husband Phil, Leona Green and her husband Harold, Veronica Green, and Gustavia Green; and four grandchildren, Donald Belcher Jr., Destiny Benoit, Jalyn Benoit, and Kaden Benoit.
Serving as pallbearers will be Clarence Fuslier, MacAllen Nora, Glynn Stutes, Dennis LeBlanc, Curney Derouen, and Dr. Don Belcher, Sr..
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Loveless Green, Martin Green, Scottie Green, Randy Green, Nathan Green, and Norris J. Green, Jr..
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Hospice of Acadiana and both Karen Roden, MD and Andrew Harwood, MD.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Lafayette, Louisiana 70503, (337) 232-1234, hospiceacadiana.com
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

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Carol L. Matthew

August 14, 1953 ~ December 19, 2017

KAPLAN — Carol L. Matthew, 64, passed away of a massive heart attack on Dec. 19, 2017.
Carol was cremated at Louisiana Funeral Services & Crematory in Broussard, Louisiana.
His urn will be buried in Lyons Point by his parents.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 6,2018 at American Legion Hall at 2 p.m.
Mr. Matthew was a graduated of Kaplan High and was a Truck Driver for many years before he got hurt.
He loved spending time with his family . He was a huge football lover. He loved to eat which made Holidays his favorite.
Mr. Matthew was survived by his wife of 36-plus years, Patsy P. Matthew; Daugther Candace Matthew of Alabama , Daughter Wendy M. and her Husband Jonathan Hargrave of Forked Island; Granddauther Natalie Hargrave , Kadence Hargrave, and Jonathan Hargrave Jr.
He is proceeded in death by his parents Lionel & Emila (Geges Roy) Matthew ,his brother Weston Matthew and his grandson Jaythan Paul Hargrave.

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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