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Staff Report
Twenty-two Berwick seniors will finish their high school careers with perfect 4.0 grade point averages when they get their diplomas at 7 p.m. Thursday at Berwick High's Geisler Stadium.
Check back later Wednesday for a video gallery of the 4.0 graduates. Photos of all the BHS grads-to-be are in Wednesday's print edition.
The 4.0 students are:
Anna Mary Armato
Anna Mary Armato, daughter of John and Nicol Armato, will graduate from Berwick High with a 4.0 GPA. In the last four years, Anna Armato has participated in cheerleading and tennis at Berwick High. Anna has been a part of many clubs such as Beta, Key Club, Health Occupations, Drama, Foreign Language, Future Business Leaders of America, and Acts of Random Kindness.
Anna is an eighth-degree Powercat and Wisecat. Anna has volunteered at AARP meetings, organized dresses for our local dress drive, and assisted at the Lighthouse and Main Street Festivals. Anna Armato plans to attend LSU and major in accounting and eventually become a certified public accountant.
Breanna Bourgeois
Breanna Bourgeois is the daughter of Brett Bourgeois and Theresa Bourgeois-Chellette. Breanna was a member of the Sound of Pride for 3-1/2 years and on the softball team for two years. Breanna is a seventh-degree Power Cat and Wise Cat. She also made third chair in the St. Mary Parish Honor Band. Breanna also received an academic scholarship from Nicholls State University. To further her education, Breanna will attend Nicholls State University in the fall and plans to major in the field of Nursing.
Kyle Pitre
Kyle Pitre is the son of A.J. and Christy Pitre. Kyle is and has been a part of the BHS varsity baseball team all four years of high school. He is also a member of the Foreign Language Club and BETA Club. He has maintained a 4.0 average all four years of high school and is an eighth-degree Wise Cat.
Outside of school, Kyle continued playing baseball through summer and fall travel ball. He has put his baseball knowledge and skills to use by acting as an assistant coach for younger travel ball teams.
When not playing baseball, Kyle enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.
His plans include attending college and majoring in mechanical engineering.
Sarah
Angelle Kelly
Sarah Angelle Kelly is the daughter of the Rev. Steven Kelly and Tammilee Kelly of Bayou Vista. During her years at Berwick High School, she has been a four-year participant in the Sound of Pride, in which she was on the student leadership team her last three years. She is a member of the Beta Club, Insight Club, Health Occupations Club, and the Drama Club (president, Grade 12). Sarah has participated in the annual school plays.
She is a member of the LMEA District 7 Honor Choir and the LMEA State Honor Choir. She is an eighth-degree Powercat. Sarah is an active member of the Bayou Vista Baptist Church, where she serves in numerous capacities, especially in the music ministry. She is a four-year participant in the Louisiana Baptist All State Youth Choir with which she has toured to numerous locations in the United States. Sarah plans to attend Louisiana College in Pineville, where she intends to major in nursing.
Madison
Palmature
Madison Palmature is the daughter of Kristie and Clement Rodrigue. She was a member of the track team for the past two years. After graduation, she will be attending Nicholls State University starting this fall to major in nursing.
Leah Bryanne
Domangue
Leah Bryanne Domangue is the daughter of Stephen and Karen Domangue. In high school, Leah was involved in Student Council, Beta Club, Cheerleading, Foreign Language Club, ARK (Acts of Random Kindness), Key Club, Interact and Powerlifting. Leah has participated in community events the past four years by working with the Lighthouse Festival, assisting Bayou Angels, helping at the monthly AARP meetings, and judging the youth BBQ contests at the annual Bayou BBQ Bash.
The honors and awards she has received include first- through eighth-degree PowerCat Awards, first- through eighth-degree Wise Cat Awards, UCA All-American, Foreign Language Awards for Spanish I and Spanish II, District Literary Rally for Algebra II, first place District Literary Rally for Spanish I, and first place District Literary Rally for Family and Consumer Science. After graduating, Leah plans to attend University of Louisiana at Monroe to major in dental hygiene.
Sean Cantrelle
Sean Cantrelle is the son of Sherry and Paul Cantrelle. Throughout high school, he has participated in cross country, track, Beta, and FBLA. Sean has accomplished an ACT score of 35. After high school, he plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to major in engineering.
Nicole Racquel Johnson
Nicole Racquel Johnson is the daughter of Pamela and Calvin Johnson. She has participated in the following sports: basketball, softball, track, and powerlifting. She has also participated in the following clubs: HOSA, Beta, Student Council, and Key Club. She has volunteered at the Bayou Vista library, St. Mary Council on Aging, and the Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. She received All-Academic composite awards for basketball, softball, track, and powerlifting and has been awarded for being a word millionaire every year beginning in second grade. After high school, she plans to attend Xavier University of New Orleans and major in Biology.
Devan Gallegos
Devan is the daughter of Jose and Dallas Gallegos. She has been a member of the National Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Student Council. As a member of the BHS Sound of Pride Band, she also served on their Student Leadership Team.
She was also accepted to be a member of the Parish and District Honor Bands. Devan is also a member of the Higher Ground Family Church Youth Group and regularly volunteers in the nursery and toddler classes at church. With the youth group, she has volunteered at the Morgan City Nursing Home, and the Morgan City Housing Authority, and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
She has also volunteered with Dance World and danced for various Mardi Gras balls, the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, and for the Community Concert. Other community involvements include the Special Olympics, the Lighthouse Festival, Miles Liner 5K race, paint classes for the youth, and occasional tutoring.
Devan’s major accomplishments include earning a 33 ACT composite score and being recognized in the “Beacon Shines On” as well as a BHS “Shining Star.”
Devan was also named Student of the Year. She will attend Nicholls State University and has been accepted to participate in their Honors Program. Devan has been awarded the Academic Enrichment, Academic Honor, and Valedictorian scholarships from Nicholls. She plans to major in English and become a college professor.
Abram Paul Gilder
Abram Paul Gilder is the son of Paul and Cynthia Gilder. His love for both music and sports has kept him involved in many activities. He was a four-year member of the track and bowling teams and a three-year member of the tennis team. Abram was chosen as first team All-District for two consecutive years in bowling and reached the state competition in both tennis and bowling his senior year. He was active in the Drama, Ultimate Frisbee, BETA, and Insight clubs.
His music ability afforded him many opportunities to sing at government, sporting, school and church events throughout high school. It also has allowed him to reach the third round during an X-Factor audition.
Abram volunteers at vacation Bible school, serves senior citizens with the Rotary Club, and visits residents at the local nursing homes. Upon graduation, Abram plans to attend Louisiana College, where he will major in worship leadership
Adella Guidroz
Adella Guidroz is the daughter of Alisha Scadlock and Buck Guidroz. Throughout her four years, she has participated in various sports and clubs. She was on cross country, volleyball, bowling, track, tennis and powerlifting. She was also Student Council secretary and BETA president. Adella was involved in FBLA, Key Club, ARK, Quiz Bowl, and Science Club.
She has also volunteered at Vacation Bible School and made Blessing Bags for Our Lady of Lourdes and Teen Challenge.
She received the powerlifting Coaches’ Award and track Panther Pride Award. Adella was selected as one of April’s Students of the Month to speak at the Rotary Club meeting. She plans to attend Nicholls and study pre-med with a concentration in biology, as well as strives to attend LSU Medical School and major in forensic pathology.
Lucas Robert Hatch
Lucas Robert Hatch is the son of Todd and Heidi Hatch. He was a member of football and baseball for four years, swim for two years, and powerlifting for one year. He has also been a member of the Beta Club, Acts of Random Kindness Club, Insight Club, and Ultimate Frisbee Club. Lucas was the male recipient of this year’s Wendy’s High School Heisman. He also earned Second Team All-District defensive back for football and Academic All-State Composite in swim, football and baseball.
He has done volunteer work for Special Olympics, the Miles Liner Run, and the Lighthouse Festival; he has also helped flood victims in Baton Rouge move into new homes. Lucas will be attending Nicholls in the fall, majoring in biology: pre-physical therapy.
Jerry Crowe
Jerry Crowe is the son of Jerry and Letitia Crowe. He was a member of the football team and the band and was also a member of the Beta Club and FBLA. Jerry was an officer for the FBLA club his senior year.
He was also a member of the All-State Academic football team his senior year.
Jerry is a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church and finds ways to help in his community such as tutoring and helping his neighbors. He plans to attend LSU and major in mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace engineering. Jerry also hopes to earn his master’s in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M.
Chantalle Marie Bennett
Chantalle Marie Bennett is the daughter of Roland Bennett Sr. and Norma Bennett. She has participated in the Sound of Pride band program and BETA Club for four years. She has also participated in FBLA and assisted backstage with the Drama Club.
She has volunteered at local AARP meetings with other members of New Generations from BHS.
After high school, Chantalle will attend Nicholls State University in the fall and major in nursing. Eventually, she would like to continue her studies to become a nurse practitioner with a focus in pediatrics.
Maddie McCann Osburn
Maddie McCann Osburn is the daughter of Craig and Erin Osburn. She has participated in Beta, ARK, and Foreign Language clubs. She was a part of the tennis and track teams.
She made it to the state tournament for tennis two of her four years and threw the javelin for track.
Maddie has participated in various types of volunteer work in our community. In sharing her culinary talents, she has prepared meals for our local priests and for those who have lost loved ones. She has also spent many Christmas Eve mornings delivering food baskets to the needy. Maddie will attend Nicholls State University on a scholarship majoring in Biology with a pre-physical therapy concentration.
Mary Catherine Reggie
Mary Catherine Reggie is the daughter of Mary Michelle and Ray Reggie. She was on the tennis and swim team. She competed in the State Swim meet all four years and in the state tennis tournament her senior year. She also was Student Council vice president, BETA secretary, ARK president, Foreign Language secretary, and Key Club vice president.
She was involved in FBLA, Key Club, ARK, Foreign Language, Drama, Interact, and Student Council. Mary Catherine volunteers at the AARP meetings monthly, organizes the formal dresses for ARK, and has worked Teens Encounter Christ Retreats. She is a member of the Louisiana Youth Advisory Council and attended Girls State and HOBY. Mary Catherine received the honor of being prom queen. She will attend LSU in the fall in hopes to receive her master’s in business.
Patrick Robertson
Patrick Robertson is the son of Kenia and Robby Robertson. He lettered in cross country for one year, basketball for two years and baseball for four years. He has been a member of the Foreign Language Club, Beta Club, and Ultimate Frisbee Club. He has volunteered at the Main Street Festival for two years and has done volunteer work at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.
He was a part of the All-District basketball team and All-Academic team for baseball and basketball. After high school, he plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Stephen Theriot
Stephen Theriot is the son of Scott Theriot and Jill Tamporello. He was on the tennis and swim team for four years. He competed in the state swim meet his last three years and in the state tennis tournament his sophomore and senior year.
Stephen was on the 4A All-District Swim team three years and received the Academic All-State award for both sports. He served as the Acts of Random Kindness vice president, the Foreign Language vice president, and was a member of Student Council, BETA, Drama, and Talented Art.
He volunteers at the monthly AARP meetings, organizes dresses for the semiannual “Formally Yours” event for ARK, and assisted in coaching little league baseball. Stephen attended Louisiana Boys State this past summer. He was also elected prom duke. He plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to earn a dual degree in chemical engineering and chemistry.
Brittany Lynn Roberie
Brittany Lynn Roberie is the daughter of Shaun and Brigget Roberie. She has been a part of the cheerleading team, volleyball team and softball team for four years. She participated on the powerlifting team and swim team for one year.
She has been an active member in BETA, Student Council, ARK, Foreign Language and Key Club. Brittany was named second team All-District for volleyball both her junior and senior years and honorable mention her senior year of softball.
After high school, Brittany plans to attend LSU in the fall to major in biology in hopes of becoming a dermatologist
Ian Valdez
Ian Valdez is the son of Joseph and Hoan Valdez. He participated in cross country, track, bowling, basketball and ultimate Frisbee. He was in the Drama, Beta, and FBLA clubs. On the track, he was a two-time District Champion in the two-mile, as well as a district cross country champion. After graduating, he plans to attend Tulane University and major in molecular biology.
Kristina Ann Theriot
Kristina Ann Theriot is the daughter of Troy and Elizabeth Theriot of Berwick. She has been involved in the New Generations program, BETAClub, Science Bowl Club, Talented Art Program, Talented Theater Program and Drama Club, where she served as executive officer her senior year.
She has represented Berwick High at both district and state Literary Rally each year, earning first place statewide in French I and second place in Advanced Math Functions and Statistics. This past year, after scoring in the top one percent of the nation on the PSAT and SAT, Theriot was selected as a National Merit Finalist. As a finalist, she was awarded a full scholarship to Louisiana Tech University, where she plans to major in biology with a focus in pre-medicine. After college, she aspires to attend medical school to pursue a career as a doctor.
Makayla Micah
Michelle Melendez
Makayla Micah Michelle Melendez is the daughter of Carlos and Wendy Melendez. She has been involved in Student Council, Beta Club, INTERACT, FBLA, Key Club, the Sound of Pride and Insight. She has been student body president all four years of high school, Student Council president, Sound of Pride pesident, Sound of Pride Historian, Key Club treasurer, and Beta Club vice president. She plans to attend the University of Louisiana Monroe with a major in biology with a minor in music. After college, she plans on pursuing her dreams as a pediatric oncologist.
The Berwick High School baseball team is back at the position where last season ended, and this time, they are looking to finish the season on a positive note.
After a nine-year absence from the state semifinals, Berwick is back in the state’s final four in Class 3A for the second straight season.
A year ago, Berwick fell to eventual state champion South Beauregard, 6-1, while this year, the squad will return to Field 41 at McMurry Park in Sulphur where it will face top-seed Sterlington (32-3). Berwick (27-8) enters the semifinals as the No. 4 seed.
“They’re confident and I believe they believe they can win it,” first-year Berwick High School coach Brandon Bravata said of his squad. “I don’t know that we really believed it last year. I think we may have said we did, but I’m not sure if we really did.”
Despite losing nine seniors from last year, including six starters, the Panthers enter the state tournament with more wins this year than a season ago.
“It’s definitely that gut feeling of losing out in the semis,” junior outfielder/pitcher Mitchell Sanford said of the mindset coming into this year. “You just want to go back and prove what you know you can do, and these guys, not having the experience and us coming in and trying to prove something this season has just really put a chip on our shoulder. I think we’ve done a great job so far.”
Five of Berwick’s eight losses this year have been by two runs or less. The Panthers are averaging 11.9 runs a game, while surrendering 4.2 per contest.
In the playoffs, Berwick is scoring 11.8 runs a contest and surrendering just 1.2 per game.
Berwick is 5-0 in postseason play, with four of those runs by run-rule. The Panthers defeated No. 29 Peabody, 12-0, in five innings; No. 13 Jennings, 10-0 in five innings and 13-1 in five innings to win their regional round series, while topping No. 5 Eunice, 12-2, in six innings and 12-3 to win their quarterfinal series.
As a team, Berwick is batting .374, while its pitching staff has a combined ERA of 2.21.
Berwick senior catcher Lucas Hatch said he didn’t expect the offense to do as well as they have. He said he expected the defense to be better than the offense this year.
Teammate and senior shortstop/pitcher Kyle Pitre said that this season’s success may have been a surprise to outsiders but not the Panthers.
“We worked a lot harder,” he said. “We’ve really earned this. We put in all the work that we need to get to this point, so it really doesn’t surprise the team as much as anyone would think.”
While Berwick has had a surprisingly easy time in its playoff journey this far, it will face a Sterlington team that has more experience at the state tournament than them. A year ago, Sterlington won the Class 2A title before moving up to Class 3A this year and securing the top seed in the postseason.
Sterlington enters the semifinals having won 15 straight games. Their last loss was a 4-0 defeat to West Monroe on March 30.
Sterlington’s playoff journey features an 11-0 win in five innings against No. 32 Wossman in the bi-district round, 3-0 and 6-0 victories against No. 16 Pine Prairie in the regional round an 11-1 win in six innings and a 6-3 victory against No. 9 Erath to win the quarterfinal series.
Like Berwick, Sterlington has not lost a game this postseason.
Every team Sterlington has lost to this season, they’ve also beaten in another matchup.
Sterlington, who also is the Panthers, are averaging 11.2 runs a game and surrendering just 1.9 runs per contest.
In the playoffs, it is averaging 7.4 runs a game and surrendering just 0.8 runs a game.
One of the Panthers’ assistant coaches is former Major Leaguer Ben Sheets, who pitched collegiately at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Sheets’ son is a freshman third baseman for Sterlington.
Bravata said he has heard the Panthers have a good offense and feature a right hander and a left hander on the mound.
“More than anything, it’s about us at this point,” he said. “How do we prepare, and you get there and you show up and you play and hopefully some good things happen and the guys are ready.”
Hatch said the lesson the team took from last season is about preparation.
“Preparation is key, and all the hard work you put in at practice will eventually get good outcomes in the future,” he said.
This season, Pitre leads the Berwick offense with a .490 batting average. He has 15 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 36 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.
Reid Wiley is next on offense with a.466 batting average with four doubles, one triple, 23 RBIs and nine stolen bases, while Hatch is batting .426 with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 41 RBIs and two stolen bases.
On the mound, Sanford is 6-1 with a 0.77 ERA. He has allowed just 25 hits, walked 15 and struck out 64 in 46.2 innings.
Meanwhile, Pitre is 8-3 with a 2.74 ERA. He has allowed 31 hits, walked 27 and fanned 74 in 53.2 innings.
Patrick Robertson is third on the team with a 2.35 ERA. In 39.2 innings, he has allowed 33 hits, walked 13 and struck out 42.
Gina and Patrick Wiley will be the parents of two Berwick High School graduates by late Thursday night, but neither the parents nor their sons actually will have attended the younger Wileys’ graduations at the school.
Well, sort of.
The eldest Wiley son, Cameron, graduated in 2017 on Field 41 at McMurry Park in Sulphur along with eight other Berwick High seniors, while the rest of the school’s graduates participated in the traditional commencement ceremonies at Geisler Stadium in Berwick.
Cameron and the rest of the baseball team were in Sulphur because they were playing in the Class 3A state semifinals, which fell on the same day of their graduation.
A year later, Berwick is back in the same situation and so are the Wileys as the younger of the two sons, Reid, is a senior and will play in a Class 3A state semifinal with his Berwick High School teammates.
That game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start on Field 41, with commencement exercises to precede the game. Berwick High School assistant baseball coach Lud Henry, a former principal at the school, will present the team’s five seniors their diplomas. In addition to Reid Wiley, Kyle Boudreaux, Kyle Pitre, Denver Jenkins, Patrick Robertson and Lucas Hatch will earn their diplomas.
The rest of the school will participate in commencement ceremonies at 7 p.m. at Geisler Stadium.
Reid said last year when he saw his brother graduate on the field, he wanted to do the same.
“It was really cool to witness how they did it last year,” Reid said Monday. “You saw how cool and how excited everyone was to not be at graduation, do something different, and now we get to experience it this year.”
His parents have no problem with the idea, either.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Gina said.
Patrick said from what he has heard, Berwick is one of the only schools to ever have graduated on the field at the state baseball tournament.
“To have my two kids do it … it’s pretty awesome,” he said.
While the school has had success in other sports, Berwick High School baseball coach Brandon Bravata said Berwick is simply a baseball town.
“I just don’t know if any of these kids would rather graduate anywhere else than on a baseball field. … It’s pretty special. It really is,” Bravata said.
BERWICK — The Berwick Town Council took a step Tuesday toward making municipal utility service financially self-supporting. That step would cost gas and water customers more on their monthly bills.
Also Tuesday, the council set property tax rates for this year, approved an increase in the residential trash pickup rate and agreed to let the Brown House be used to store historical documents.
Rates for water, sewer service and natural gas would go up under a bill introduced Tuesday. The new rates could be approved as early as the council’s June 12 meeting.
The new water rates would be $15 for the first 2,000 gallons and $5.50 for each subsequent 1,000 gallons “or fraction thereof” for households inside the town limits. Customers outside Berwick would pay $17 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5.65 for each subsequent 1,000 gallons.
The meter deposits would be $200 for ¾- to 1-inch, $200 for 1½-inch and $400 for 2-inch or larger.
Inside Berwick, natural gas would cost $10 for the first 200 cubic feet each month, plus $1.50 for each 100 cubic feet after that. Outside the town, the first 200 cubic feet would cost $12. The charge would be $1.60 for each 100 cubic feet after the minimum.
Council members said they didn’t want to raise rates.
“It’s going to be a hard hit for some people,” said member Damon Robison.
But auditor Gerald Thibodeaux warned the council last month that the gas and water systems took in $200,000 less from customers last year than it cost to operate the system. That trend of requiring general fund money to be used to make up for a shortfall started in 2012.
Council members and Mayor Louis Ratcliff also talked about aging, sometimes leaky water lines and increasingly strict regulations.
Also Tuesday:
—The council unanimously approved property tax rates of 12.12 mills for the general operations of the town government and 6 mills for recreation facilities, roads and public facilities.
The rates are unchanged from last year. Together, the 18.12 mills in tax would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $181.20 per year.
—The council increased the charge for residential trash pickup to $18 per household per month from the current $15.77.
—The council approved the continuation of the $25-per-acre drainage fee on property in the town.
—The council agreed to let the Historical Committee use the Brown House, which had been donated to the town government, for committee meetings, to store town archives and to display historical photos.
Dale Fangue made the request on behalf of the committee “to preserve, document, and establish a physical property for the sole purpose of recording and promoting the history of Berwick.”
He said the house could also be used to display artifacts donated to the committee and as a place for educational visits and could become a Museum for Berwick History.
The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Tuesday, May 8
7:44 a.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Juvenile problems.
8:21 a.m. 1000 block of Ditch Avenue; Officer stand by.
8:30 a.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Building check.
8:38 a.m. Everett and Fifth streets; Theft.
8:56 a.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Assistance.
9:38 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Removal of subject.
9:45 a.m. Sixth and Terrebonne streets; Complaint.
9:47 a.m. 500 block of Egle; Accident.
9:54 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
10:33 a.m. 1100 block of Brashear Ave; Building check.
10:44 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Accident.
10:45 a.m. 1300 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
10:49 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Theft.
11:16 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
11:27 a.m. 1000 block of Ditch Avenue; Officer stand by.
11:39 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Hit and run.
11:41 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Disturbance.
11:49 a.m. 800 block of Fig Street; Alarm.
1:16 p.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Assistance.
1:36 p.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Officer stand by.
1:38 p.m. 1000 block of Ditch Avenue; Complaint.
2:01 p.m. Fig Street and Veterans Boulevard; Animal complaint.
3:41 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Stalled vehicle.
4:19 p.m. 900 block of Ditch Avenue; Assistance.
4:21 p.m. Maple near Poplar streets; Complaint.
4:37 p.m. Wren Street; Warrants.
5:06 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
5:08 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Vehicle accident.
8:46 p.m. Glenwood Avenue; Complaint.
9:27 p.m. Duke Street; Warrant arrest.
9:35 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
Wednesday, May 9
12:08 a.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
12:39 a.m. 500 block of Willow Street; Disturbance.
Roger Glenn “Peanut” Rulf Sr., a native and resident of Morgan City, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 7, 2018, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 67.
Roger loved being outdoors, whether that was camping, fishing or hunting, but what he enjoyed most was spending time with his family and friends.
Roger leaves to cherish his beautiful memory his mother, Helen Rink Rulf Toups; his wife of 44 years, Diane Anslem Rulf; two children, Roger Rulf Jr. and wife Mandy B. Rulf, and daughter Kristy Rulf and companion Faron Landry; two step-siblings, Larry Toups Sr. and Jeannie Fabre; five grandchildren, Hallie B. Richard and husband Cody, Hunter Rulf, Sarah Ribardi, Kayli Ribardi and Mayah Landry; two godchildren, Shane Anslem and Dane Chiasson; and his beloved dog Gabby. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Roger joins in heaven his father, Lawrence “Charlie” Rulf; stepfather, Louis Toups Sr.; paternal grandparents, Andrew and Josephine Rulf; maternal grandparents, Alcide and Maryress Rink; uncles, James Rink and Wayne Rink; stepbrother, Louis O. “Pap” Toups; three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
The family requests that a time of visitation be observed at Hargrave Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 8 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. Roger will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hargrave Funeral Home.
Benny Ford “Baby June” Blackburn, Jr. aka Coon Dog, 73, a resident of Patterson, La. and native of Verdunville, La., passed away on Saturday May 5, 2018 at 4:56 a.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at New Salem Baptist Church in Patterson, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services in the Nazarene Cemetery in Verdunville, La. Reverend Samuel Calhoun will serve as the Officiant, and Reverend Henry Harris Sr. will serve as the Eulogist.
Memories of Benny Jr, or “Baby June or Coon Dog,” as he was known to many, will forever remain in the hearts of his two sons, Benny Blackburn, III of Bethany, OK and Gregory Hunt of Patterson, La.; three daughters, Barbara Blackburn, Mrs. Cornelius (Shantel Blackburn) Gant, and Tonya M. Hunt all of Patterson, La. two brothers, Rev. Henry Harris Sr. of Verdunville, La., and Herbert Blackburn of Patterson, La.; eight sisters, Arlene Lightfoot of Houston, TX., Mrs. Henry ( Eliza) Fontenot, Sandra Randle, Alberta Blackburn, Mrs. Perry (Dianne) Melton, Cynthia Blackburn Richardson and Debra Dennis all of Verdunville, La. and Mrs. Anthony (Christine) Taylor of Franklin, La.; twelve grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two aunts, as well as his sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Benny Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, a step-mother who raised him, and a sister.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.
September 17, 1987 - May 5, 2018
Brandon James Thibodeaux, a native and lifelong resident of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the age of 30.
Brandon was born on September 17, 1987 in Morgan City, Louisiana to James “Jimmy” Thibodeaux and Barbara “Bobbie” Gros Thibodeaux. Brandon knew from an early age that he wanted to be one of The Few and The Proud and serve his country. In 2005, Brandon graduated from Morgan City High School and immediately enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. Brandon served as a machine gunner with the 3rd Infantry Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment Kilo Company Weapons Platoon in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with two deployments to Iraq in 2007 and 2009. Brandon was known for being an avid LSU football fan. He could always be found sporting his purple and gold attire. Some of his happiest moments were spent inside Death Valley on a Saturday night cheering on his Tigers, his favorite saying was “There is nothing better in life than spending a Saturday night in Death Valley”. Brandon enjoyed wakeboarding and spending many of his hours on the water whether it be on the bayou or on the beach.
Those left to cherish Brandon’s memory are his parents, James “Jimmy” Thibodeaux and Barbara “Bobbie” Gros Thibodeaux; his sister, Jenifer Thibodeaux LeBlanc; two godchildren, Beau and Luke LeBlanc; his baby girl (pet), Chloe Allyse; and fellow Marines. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Calvin and Irene Gros Sr., eight aunts, two uncles and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Chester and Clarice Thibodeaux; three uncles and one aunt.
The family requests that a time of visitation be observed on Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home with a rosary taking place at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 9 a.m. until time of services at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Dismissal will follow at the end of service.
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