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Michael "Mike" James Manceaux Sr.

February 2, 1948 - September 20, 2021

ABBEVILLE — Michael James Manceaux, Sr., 73, passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021 in Abbeville, Louisiana.
Michael James Manceaux was born on February 20, 1948 in Abbeville, Louisiana and he was a resident of Erath. Mike was a family man through and through. He loved having his family over for dinner and playing cards. He loves his wife’s cooking and would brag on her to everyone. He was an avid outdoors man. He loved hunting and fishing with his sons. He loved classic cars and was always on the search for the next one. He leaves behind beautiful memories with his family and he will be truly missed.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Christine Abate Manceaux of Erath; his children, Michael J. Manceaux, Jr. (Liz), and Tory J. Manceaux (Alicia); his grandchildren, Michael J. Manceaux, III, Tatum Manceaux, and Aubrey Louviere; Godchildren, Paige Vincent (Jace), and Brenan Abate; his brother, Calvin Manceaux (Linda); and his dear friend, Jason Abate.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Purvis Manceaux and Lourence Manceaux; his first wife, Yvonne A. Manceaux; as well as his sister, Giselle Manceaux.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Abbeville General Hospital, especially his nurse Deandrick and his CNA's Monique and Orianna, for the care and compassion they showed Mike during his time of need.
Due to Covid-19 and gathering restrictions the family will gather privately to honor Mike's memory.
Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 West Lafayette St., Maurice, LA. 70555, (337) 740-3123, is in charge of Cremation arrangements.

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Aaron Rixby LeBeouf

October 21, 1964 ~ September 22, 2021

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Aaron Rixby LeBeouf, 56, who died Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lake Ascension. He will be laid to rest at Hebert Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Carroll Fontenot, Brennon LeBeouf, Alex Moreau, Josh Girouard, Tim Lambert, Terry LeBeouf, and Josiah Atkins. Honorary pallbearer will be Landon Dupuy.
Aaron is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lambert LeBeouf; mother, Mabel Decuir LeBeouf; sister, Priscilla Fontenot and her husband, Carroll; children, Samantha Moreau and her husband, Alex, Brennon LeBeouf and his wife, Kalie, Kassie Girouard and her husband, Josh, Kerri LeBeouf, and Sabrina LeBeouf; and grandchildren, Emily, Sarah and John Moreau, Taylor Smith, Kyler Romero, Aubrey and Madeline Girouard, Landon Dupuy, Remi Flores, Gavin LeBeouf, and Braxton Bergeron.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rixby LeBeouf; nephew, Garrett Fontenot; paternal grandfather, Ernest T. LeBeouf; paternal grandmother, Cora Lee Guidry; maternal grandfather, Etienne Decuir; and maternal grandmother, Edolie LeMaire.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
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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Willie Duhon

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 25, 2021 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church for Willie Louis Duhon, 91, who passed away on September 22, 2021.
Reverend Paul Bienvenu, Pastor, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral service.
Burial will take place in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.
Willie Louis Duhon, 91, of Abbeville died peacefully on September 22, 2021. He was the youngest of thirteen children of Ulysse and Alice Stutes Duhon of Lafayette.
Willie grew up in the Judice community surrounded by a large and loving family. He graduated from Judice High School and continued his education at LSU. Willie graduated with a degree in bacteriology from LSU in 1951. After college he served in the US Air Force. He was stationed in Illinois and San Antonio during the Korean War working in the cryptology division. After his service Willie returned to Lafayette and began work with General Motors insurance department.
In 1957 Willie married the love of his life, Hilda Hebert. In June they celebrated 64 years together. Through the years they lived in Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama along with Somerset, New Jersey and Macon, Georgia. Wherever Willie landed he always took time to plant live oaks throughout the area. He also got involved in numerous charity organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and St. Vincent de Paul. Through this and other groups Willie lived a life of service to others, grounded in his Catholic faith. Willie and Hilda retired to Abbeville and Willie began a woodworking business, The Rustic Outpost, building furniture using reclaimed cypress wood. His beautiful benches and tables grace homes all across the country.
Willie is predeceased by his parents, 11 of his 12 siblings, his son, Walter, and his granddaughter, Leslie Jordan. He is survived by his wife, Hilda Hebert Duhon, daughter Carolyn Murphy and son-in-law Bryan, son John Duhon and daughter-in-law Cathy, son Robert Duhon and daughter-in-law Lauren, daughter Alice Mancini and son-in-law Matt, and daughter-in-law Linda Duhon and sister Agnes Guidry. Willie is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Willie loved playing golf, helping to set up a long running family tournament, and watching LSU ballgames, a die-hard fan. Willie’s greatest pleasure was gathering a large group of family and friends for a party, a crab boil, a bonfire, a ballgame, or just a Saturday. The bigger the crowd the better.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. Alphonsus Church on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 12:00 PM until time of service.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Duhon 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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Abbeville Fire Department answers call from grieving family member who needed pallbearers 10 minutes before funeral

The call came into the Abbeville Fire Department around 9:50 a.m. on a Tuesday. On the other end of the line was a woman crying. She was in a bind, and she needed the help of the fire department. They delivered.
Sonia Perez Cessac was in Abbeville for the funeral of her mother-in-law, Patricia Cessac. She is married to Phillip, one of Patricia’s three sons.
Darby and Greene Funeral Home and Cremation Service in New Iberia passed Mrs. Cessac through St. Theresa Church in Abbeville and then buried her at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Abbeville.
Before the church service began, Sonia noticed everyone was elderly and could not carry a coffin. There were not enough for pallbearers.
Sonia grew up in Shiner, Texas, a small town two hours west of Houston. She grew up watching the Shiner Fire Department called upon to help with everything. Why not a funeral?
Sonia called the Abbeville Fire Department, asking for volunteers to be pallbearers for Patricia Cessac funeral
Assistant fire chief Kelly Mire took the call from Sonia, and he did not hesitate giving her an answer. But, first, he asked how many she needed, and Sonia said at least four.
At the time of the phone call, the firemen were training outside in the 90-degree heat. The assistant chief walked outside and asked for volunteers. All 10 firemen on the shift went to St. Theresa Church before the service began.
After the church service, four firemen in a fire truck followed the prosession to St. Paul’s Cemetery. The firemen removed the coffin from the Hearse and carried it to the gravesite.
“They stayed for the entire service,” said Sonia Cessac. “They did not have to do that. We were so grateful for what they did. I want to thank the Abbeville Fire Department personally.”
Fire Chief Jude Mire said he has been a fireman for 30-plus years, and this is the first time the Abbeville Fire Department has been called to be pallbearers for a funeral, not dealing with a firefighter or a former fireman.
‘The fire department is here to help the community,” said Chief Mire. “I was more than happy to help.”
The firemen stayed for a total of just under 90 minutes.
“It was a first in my career, but it was also an honor to do it,” said assistant chief Kelly Mire.
Fr. Francois Sainte Marie officiated the services, and he recongized the fire department and thanked them for helping.
Darby and Greene Funeral Home and Cremation Service in New Iberia, who handled the funeral, gave the Abbeville Fire Department a shoutout.
“We would like to extend a special thank you to the Abbeville Fire Department. They are true examples of love, compassion, kindness and community. When they learned that a member of their community was in need, they went above and beyond to let them know they were not alone. In addition, all department levels were present to aid the Cessac family in saying goodbye to their loved one. May God bless you all.”
Patricia, 61, is survived by her husband, Brent Cessac; sons, Justin Cessac, Phillip Cessac, and Nathan Cessac; mother, Mary Landry; and a grandchild, Salvador Cessac.

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State of the University: UL Lafayette sets new record for R&D expenditures

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s research and development expenditures last year set a record at $164 million.
The total marks an “incredible” 165% increase in R&D spending at UL Lafayette in seven years, Dr. Joseph Savoie announced Wednesday during the annual State of the University address.
“We’ve had banner years throughout the past decade – and it looks like we’ll need to invest in bigger banners, because we’ve done it again,” the University president said.
The State of the University presentation to faculty and staff members is held each fall semester. In it, Savoie celebrated accolades and milestones from the past academic year.
In addition to record research and development expenditures, the speech highlighted:
• historic levels of philanthropy;
• the prominence of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics; and
• the leadership UL Lafayette provides to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the state and national levels.
The full presentation can be viewed here.
UL Lafayette’s R&D expenditures increased by $102 million – from $62 million to $164 million – between 2013 and 2020, according to the Higher Education Research and Development Survey. The HERD Survey is the National Science Foundation’s annual index of research spending at U.S. colleges and universities.
UL Lafayette competes against other universities for federal and state grants, and private sector contracts. The University acts as a steward for the funds awarded to faculty and staff researchers.
NSF has not yet released UL Lafayette’s ranking for 2020 that will be based on the $164 million figure.
In 2019, when UL Lafayette expended $144.2 million, NSF ranked the University 143rd –among the top 22% – of the 647 institutions the survey included.
The 2019 survey also placed the University among the top 10 in the nation for research that’s funded through partnerships with business and industry.
As an example of how such partnerships can have global implications, Savoie cited the role UL Lafayette’s New Iberia Research Center played in the creation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the world’s first widely available coronavirus vaccine and the first to secure full FDA approval.
“The pandemic happened at a moment when years of scientific research about the treatment, prevention and eradication of infectious diseases could be brought to bear to find a solution,” Savoie said.
The New Iberia Research Center “has built a strong reputation,” he continued. “Biomedical and biopharmaceutical partners know instinctively who to call when lives are at stake.”
During the speech, Savoie also paid tribute to faculty and staff members who, despite continued pandemic-related challenges and several natural disasters in the past year, “have remained steady.”
“Your perseverance, determination, ingenuity, and dedication to our students and to our wider community – and to the success and advancement of both – enable me to report today that the state of our University is strong,” he said.
Dr. Jaimie Hebert, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, followed Savoie’s speech with a presentation that outlined the University’s ongoing strategic planning process.
He urged faculty, staff members, alumni, students and community members to help the University “define what success . . . looks like.”
“To truly realize our potential and allow ourselves to capitalize on the amazing people and the strengths we have within each division, we must take the time – we must take the opportunity – to align our priorities,” Hebert said.
“We must push in the same direction in support of what we determine is most important to us collectively. We can only reach that next level of success together.

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Bryan Golden

Dare to Live Without Limits: Everyone is Important

How do you treat yourself? How do you treat others? Do you think other people are more important than you are? Do you feel superior to others? How you view your interaction with others says a lot about you.
Everyone harbors the desire to be considered important and treated well. It’s common for someone to feel inferior to those with more money, more education, or a better career. Although someone may tolerate being treated disrespectfully, it’s not enjoyable. A person may think of themselves as nothing special due to upbringing, occupation, or the way they are treated.
Regardless of their role in society, everyone is important. Each job serves a needed function. Everyone is equal. To treat anyone as inferior is folly. Many people will put up with bad treatment because they feel their employment depends on it, not because they feel it’s deserved.
To get the best response from someone, treat them as an important person. Your treatment of others speaks volumes about you. The way you treat others affects the way you will be treated in return.
If people treat you poorly, resist the temptation to treat them in kind. A person may treat you poorly due to pre-conditioning. This is not to excuse their behavior but to explain it. They expect poor treatment so they automatically act defensively. As a result, they elicit the very same behavior from others that they abhor.
Treating a person as if they are above you is no better than treating someone as if they are below you. When you act inferior, you tend to be treated that way. The goal is to consider yourself and others as equal.
Since all people are in fact equal, this is not asking a lot. The challenge is overcoming engrained habits. Each person’s feelings are important. There’s no justification for being callous and uncaring.
Many interpersonal problems would evaporate if people would treat each other considerately. A person’s importance is not linked to social status, occupation, degree of wealth, where they live, what they own, or who they know.
It hurts to be treated poorly. Even a complete stranger can cause you emotional distress by a thoughtless action or comment. If and when this happens, remember that everyone is equal. If someone else doesn’t recognize this, they have a problem, not you.
Treat a person better than they expect and they’ll be pleasantly surprised. You will brighten their day. Interacting with you may even be a highlight of their day. When you treat someone well, they will respond to you in a very positive way. In most instances taking this tact will turn a frown into a smile.
Don’t try to fake this attitude. If you don’t believe everyone is important, but try to act as if you do, you will come across as insincere. Act superior and you will be shunned and resented. Act inferior and you will be taken advantage of and treated poorly.
Everyone is born equal and dies equal. Each of us travels an individual path. All paths are valid as long as one doesn’t harm others. How you think of and treat others determines how you are thought of and treated in return.
Everyone is important. Recognize and respect this and you will immeasurably enrich your life and the lives of others. Smile, say please, thank you, and wish others well. You will be astounded by how much more pleasant each day will be.

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William "Billy" Meaux

February 13, 1946 ~ September 22, 2021

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of William "Billy" Joseph Meaux, 75, who died peacefully on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Kern, Gil Meaux, Shane Meaux, Casey Cunningham, Nicholas Richards and Neal Hebert.
Billy was born to Aveneal and Lillian Meaux on February 13, 1946 in Abbeville, LA. A graduate of Mount Carmel (1965) and a United States Navy veteran.
He was a member of the Lions Club, Men’s Supper Club, Pony League baseball coach, and former owner of A. Meaux’s Grocery. He retired from Global/Santa Fe.
He loved his golf cart, cowboy western movies, fountain Diet Coke, and his daily scratch off lottery tickets. His hobbies were fishing at the river or pond, playing cards and woodworking.
Billy is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Dianna Milliman Meaux; four children, Kevin and his wife, Monique, Tammy and her husband, Casey, Gil and his wife, Cindy, and Shane and his wife, Ashley; one extended daughter, Tara and her husband, Nick; sister, Tina Hebert and her husband, Bobby Joe; ten grandchildren, Daine, Jabian, Katie, Samantha, Hannah, Kassidy, Brandt, Mia Paige, Lyla, and Conner; and five great grandchildren, Kailex, Jeri, Avery, Bristen, and baby Hebert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Aveneal Meaux, Sr. and the former Lillian Sellers; and brother, Aveneal Meaux, Jr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:00 PM; Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 8:00 AM until time of services.
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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Rotary Club of Abbeville President Annette Mudd and Rotarian Mark Shirley (right) present Bryan Simon with the “Farmer of the Year” Award.

Rotary Club of Abbeville names Bryan Simon ‘Farmer of the Year’

For more most of his life, Bryan Simon has been involved in the Vermilion Parish agriculture industry.
An active Farm Bureau member for 25 years, serving as president for six, Simon understands how important agriculture is to the parish. The Rotary Club of Abbeville also understands agriculture’s significance, as each year it names a “Farmer of the Year.”
This year, it is Simon. The club presented Simon with the award during its meeting on Wednesday.
“I am honored,” Simon said.
Simon grew up on a rice and soybean farm in the Maurice area. He began driving tractors at seven years old. Simon was an active member of the 4-H Club, which allowed him to show steer.
Simon received a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). In 1997, Simon became the farm manager for Steen’s Sugarcane, which included 3,000 acres. In 2016, Simon started planting sugarcane for himself, an operation that has grown to 1,000 acres.
For nearly 30 years, Simon has been married to Roslyn Simon, with whom he has raised three children, Kacy, Meg and Noah.
Simon is a member of the American Sugarcane League, for which he has served as the State Vice President. Simon is the lone “voice” of agriculture on the One Acadiana committee.
As someone who has been involved in farming since a young age, Simon has used his time in Farm Bureau to encourage young farmers. That has resulted in Vermilion’s Young Farmers and Ranchers winning multiple awards.
“It’s so important to get the young farmers involved,” Simon said. “That is the next generation.”
Simon said the Rotary Club’s continued support of farming helps.
“It means so much,” Simon said. “It helps the community realize what we are doing.”
Simon continues to do so much in many facets of farming and agriculture. Rotarian Mark Shirley, who presented Simon with the Farmer of the Year Award, said Simon is certainly a deserving honoree.
“Because of Bryan’s outstanding leadership in Agriculture,” Shirley said, “his dedication to farming and his family, and his highly successful farming operations, it is fitting that he be named Rotary Farmer of the Year for 2021.”

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Two-Vehicle Crash in Vermilion Parish Leaves Motorcyclist Dead

VERMILION PARISH – On Sept. 21, 2021, shortly after 2 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a two-vehicle fatality crash involving a motorcycle on Louisiana Highway 343 at Louisiana Highway 697 in Vermilion Parish.
The crash claimed the life of 37-year-old Gerry John Lasseigne of Carencro.
The initial investigation revealed Lasseigne was operating a 2017 Harley-Davidson motorcycle north on LA 343. At the same time a southbound 2011 Peterbilt 18-wheeler, driven Michael Kagle of Orange, Texas, turned left onto LA 697 in front of Lasseigne causing the motorcycle to strike rear right wheels of the cab portion of the 18-wheeler.
Despite wearing a DOT approved helmet, Lasseigne was pronounced dead on the scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office. A toxicology sample was obtained from Lasseigne for analysis. Kagle was properly restrained and was not injured. He showed no signs of impairment and did submit a voluntary breath sample which indicated no alcohol in his system.
This crash remains under investigation.
Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and are more difficult to see. Drivers are asked to pay attention behind the wheel and to always watch for motorcycles. For more information on the Louisiana Motorcycle Safety, Awareness, and Operator Training Program, visit http://www.lsp.org/motorcycle.html.
Troop I has investigated 40 fatal crashes resulting in 49 deaths in 2021.

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Councilwoman Terry Broussard said Gibson Street is a “hot spot” for illegal dumping.

Council members want to get tougher on trash, illegal dumping in city

This afternoon, you may decide to hop in the car for a Sunday drive through the city.
After all, there is plenty of nice scenery in Abbeville. Unfortunately, as some city officials recently pointed out, there are spots where people are creating the opposite effect.
“Right now,” Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said, “we have more garbage, more rubbish, more tall weeds, more tires in ditches and more broken windows. You name it.”
During the regular City Council meeting on Sept. 7, Broussard said more people are approaching him, asking what can be done about the growing issue.
“I have had people talk to me,” Broussard said. “They ask me if we could do something.”
Broussard said it is worth the discussion to see if something more can be put in place to have more penalties for those residents who do not comply with city ordinances.
“As the council is the legislative body of the city,” Broussard said, “it is our responsibility to tweak and to strengthen ordinances when necessary.”
Councilwoman Terry Broussard, who has served as the chair of the ordinance committee since being elected to the city council in 2018, said a stronger stance has long been necessary.
“Litter and illegal dumping harms our neighborhoods and communities,” Councilwoman Broussard said after the meeting. “I have been working hard to clean up my District. It is frustrating that individuals have no respect for themselves or our community. I receive calls often, from
concerned citizens who maintain clean property but are suffering from others dumping illegally near their homes. It is against the law, and violators have no regard for residents or property.
“We work to clean one area, and a new pile appears. It’s exhausting.”
The city does exhaust all appropriate, legal steps as it enforces ordinances for blight and trash, something Councilman Broussard said can be a time-consuming process.
“Good neighbors can get tired of waiting,” he said.
Again, Councilman Broussard said updates should be considered.
“The ordinances we (currently) have probably worked well in 1972,” he said. “That is not society today. Let’s see what we can come up with that’s legal, proper and being done elsewhere. Let’s do something that can lead to more compliance.”
City Attorney Ike Funderburk said increasing fines could be an option. Funderburk said he will review the ordinances and bring them back to the council during an ordinance committee meeting. Councilman Broussard said he hopes this new discussion can lead to significant improvement.
“It is bad in some areas,” he said. “Our good citizens don’t deserve that.”

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