RSS Feed

VERMILION PARISH – Shortly after 11 p.m. on July 4, 2021, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a single-vehicle fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 82 near Ranch Road in Vermilion Parish. The crash took the life of 36-year-old Kelly B. Desormeaux of Prairieville.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Desormeaux was driving east on LA 82 in a 2007 Honda Accord. For unknown reasons, Desormeaux’s vehicle ran off the roadway to the left. After leaving the roadway, the Accord entered a ditch and overturned several times causing Desormeaux to be ejected from the vehicle.
Desormeaux was unrestrained at the time of the crash. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is unknown but a standard toxicology sample was obtained for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that, while not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 29 fatal crashes resulting in 36 deaths in 2021.

ABBEVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial for Ellen Babineaux DesOrmeaux, 89, was held on Monday July 5, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church with Father Francois Sainte-Marie officiating.
Visitation was held on Monday July 5, 2021 at St. Theresa Catholic Church from 10:00AM until time of services. Burial followed in St. Alphonsus Catholic cemetery in Maurice.
Ellen passed away on Thursday July 1, 2021 at Lafayette General Hospital. She was born December 20, 1931 in St. Martinville LA, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all.
She is survived by her children Janice D. Stakes and her husband George of Abbeville, Thomas Farrell DesOrmeaux and his wife Kendra of Lafayette, Karen D. Ayo and her husband Ted of Abbeville, Anne D. Asbill and her husband Stephen of Lafayette, Jeannine Kelly Miller and her husband George of Abbeville, Mary D. Breaux and her husband Michael of Lafayette, Kenny DesOrmeaux and his wife Jamie of Abbeville. She is also survived by nineteen grandchildren, thirty two great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren; sisters Mamie Blundell and Chris LeBlanc.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Farrell DesOrmeaux; her son Mark DesOrmeaux; parents Robert and Lydia Talley Babineaux, siblings Alvin Babineaux, Margie Crocker, and Jenny Romero.
Serving as pallbearers were her grandsons.
Condolences may be sent to the DesOrmeaux family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home 2600 Charity St. 337-893-3777 handled the arrangements.

June 23, 1926 ~ July 1, 2021

HENRY — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 5, 2021 at St. John Catholic Church in Henry honoring the life of Ida Mae Libersat Mergist, 95, who died Thursday, July 1, 2021 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at Bancker Cemetery with Reverend Emmanuel Fernandez officiating the services.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda St. Germain and her husband, Devin of Henry; two sons, James Mergist and his wife, Marian of Denham Springs, and Kenneth Mergist of Henry; grandchildren, Chris Mergist and his wife, Jamie, Philip Mergist and his wife, Jennifer of Denham Springs, Cameron Trahan and his wife, Julia of Erath, Devin St. Germain, Jr. of Abbeville, Keith St. Germain and his wife, Brandi of Abbeville, and Emily St. Germain and her friend, Jessie Badeaux; and seven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Mergist; parents, Ambrose Libersat and the former Emelda Brasseaux; and an infant son.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, July 5, 2021 from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary being prayed at 10:00 AM.
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.

April 11, 1927 ~ June 29, 2021

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 2, 2021 at St. David Chapel honoring the life of Mabel Saltzman Walker, 94, who died Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. David Chapel Cemetery with Reverend Corey Campeaux officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Kirby Henry, Lee Henry, Bob Soderberg, Eric Soderberg, Tommy LeBlanc and Brian Braus. Ben Cooper, Grant Cooper and Grayson Hill will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mabel was born on April 11, 1927 in Wright, Louisiana where she grew up and attended school until she went to Gueydan High graduating in 1946. She married her beloved husband, R.L. Walker, Jr. in 1947 and made their home in Hempstead, Texas. Several years later, R.L. rejoined the U.S. Air Force. Mabel and R.L. loved military life and enjoyed R.L.’s assignments to Ellington Field, Kemah, Texas; Clark AFB, Philippines; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; Kadena AFB, Okinawa; and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Upon R.L.’s retirement from the Air Force in 1973, they came home to Mulvey, Louisiana where they spent the rest of their years.
Mabel was a kind, generous and compassionate lady who enjoyed working on her property where she maintained many acres of meticulous lawn. She had a good sense of humor and enjoyed good conversation, spending time with family and friends as often as possible. She was also a selfless family caregiver who took care of many family members in their later years.
She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Ann Walker Henry (Kirby), Cecelia Walker Soderberg (Robert), and Barbara Walker Sandoz (Thomas D. LeBlanc); grandchildren, Caroline Henry, Mandy Henry, Lee Henry, Eric Soderberg, Sonja Soderberg Quaintance, and Jessica Petry Cooper (Ben); great grandchildren, Paige Quaintance Minges (Derek), Grant Cooper and Lauren Cooper; and great-great granddaughter Maggie Gray Minges.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Lankston Walker, Jr.; parents, Isaac Saltzman and Agnes Frieu Saltzman; sister, Joycelyn Saltzman Adams; father and mother-in law, Richard Lankston Walker, Sr. and Ella Guidry Walker; and sister-in-law, Blanche Walker.
The family extends gratitude and thanks to all of her family and friends who kept in touch with her throughout the years and checked on her in her last days. Special thanks and appreciation to her caregiver, Bertha Harrington, as well as Mary Lou Hargrave and Liz Stelly. Also, Whitney Credeur, Sheena Domingue, and Brittany of Hospice of Acadiana. They were all so dear to her.
Donations in Mabel’s memory may be made to Hospice of Acadiana or St. David’s Chapel.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. David Chapel on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 12:00 PM until the time of the services at 2:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 1:00 PM.
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 Walker family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.