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September 13, 1937 ~ June 19, 2026

ABBEVILLE - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to honor the life of Daniel James Detraz, who passed away on June 19, 2026, at the age of 88. The service will be officiated by Reverend Daniel Picard at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at St. James Mission Catholic Church in Esther, located at 21125 LA Highway 333, Abbeville. Following the service, interment will take place at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.
The church will open on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. until the time of the services. A rosary will be prayed at 1:30 p.m.
Daniel worked for Union Oil/Unocal for 35 years out of East White Lake, and then retired to live on his rice, crawfish, and cattle farm. He lived a very full life, loving his family and lifestyle. He had a loving wife of 58 years, raised 3 children, who gifted him with 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, which fulfilled his life with joy.
He is survived by his three children, Daphne Credeur (Tony), Clinton Detraz (Rhonda), and Pamela Gotte (Ricky); brother, John Maurice Detraz, Jr. (Charlotte); six grandchildren, Kallie (Nick), Leryn (Dylan), Hannah (Tory), Logan (Macelia), Austin, and Jace; and seven great-grandchildren, Aubry, Drake, Addy, Anne’ Marie, MacKenzie, Ember, and Ellie Kate.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Nettie Marie Lege; parents, John Maurice Detraz, Bernice Theall, and Margaret DeHart; sister, Juanita Choate; and brother-in-law, Melvin Choate.
We want to thank our exceptionally wonderful caregivers, Cindy, Denise, and Brittany, who became part of our family through this journey. They treated him like he was their own dad. He loved all of them as they loved him. We also want to thank Hospice of Acadiana, who was great as well. They did an amazing job and have such great people employed in their organization. Thanks to all, but especially our nurse Amy and CNA Scarlet, who went above and beyond expectations in his time of need.
We especially want to thank GOD for giving us such a loving and compassionate dad for as long as we had him. We pray he is resting in peace and reunited with mom now.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

Despite knowing that the Vermilion Parish School Board may have to spend $2.1 million on teacher salaries next year because of the governor’s unfunded mandate, and considering a possible rise in health insurance premiums after July, plus, the school district is expected to finish this school year in a deficit, the School Board unanimously voted 5-0 to grant all full-time school employees a 13th check (an extra end of the month check).
Every full-time employee will receive a flat $1,200 by the end of July. It is expected to cost the school district between $1.6 million and $2 million.
Voting for the 13th check were board members Dale Stelly, Nick Touchet, Gregg Meaux, David Dupuis, and Charlotte Detraz. The five were the only board members at the meeting.
Missing from the board meeting were four board members: Jason Roy, Kevin Meyers, Kibbie Pillette and Chris Hebert.
Prior to the vote, Superintendent Tommy Byler told the five school board members that he had spoken with the school district’s chief financial officer, Eric Johnson, about the possibility of the district being able to afford a 13th check.
This is the second time in six years that the school board has voted to give every employee a 13th check.
“I am going to be transparent,” said Byler to the five school board members. “When we come in with our final budget, we will be in a deficit, the same way we were three years ago when we offered a 13th check. We get our general fund balance up every three years, and we are in a comfortable position to offer a 13th check.”
Byler explained to the five school board members who were present that over the last five years, the school district has cut 70 positions, making it lean.
The public school district has lost 1,200 students to Vermilion Charter School Academy over the last three years.
“We are making those adjustments, and so I want the school board to know this (13 check) is going to add to the deficit,” Byler explained.

Doris Langlinais Jr. had the support of the Abbeville City Council on Tuesday, when that body voted unanimously to make him the permanent chief of the fire department.
Going in, Langlinais also had strong support from department members.
“I appreciate this and the support that I have gotten during the past six months,” Langlinais said after the vote.
The city named Langlinais the interim chief last December, following the retirement of longtime Chief Jude Mire. Langlinais has been with the department for nearly 30 years. He has also served as the chief of the Seventh Ward Volunteer Fire Department as well as a fire coordinator with the Vermilion Parish Police Jury.
Eight candidates passed the exam to qualify for interviews for the permanent chief position. That included multiple members of the department.
“Three declined the interview,” Mayor Roslyn White said, “because they wanted to lend their support to Chief Doris. That’s how well supported and respected he is in the department.
“It is my honor to take you from the interim position and appoint you the new chief of the Abbeville Fire Department.”
Langlinais said he is looking forward to the future and continued service to the community.”
“We are going to continue to work to get the Abbeville Fire Department where it needs to be,” Langlinais said. “Mayor and council, thank you for this confidence and this opportunity.”

August 1, 1938 - June 15, 2026

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan, LA honoring the life of Margarite Conner Bourque, 87, who was called home on June 15, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Fr. Mikel A. Polson will officiate the Mass and conduct the funeral services.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 12 noon in the church.
Interment services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Pecan Island, Louisiana. Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Joshua Bourque, Luke Harrington, Kyle Bourque, Jonathon Bourque, Kale Scheuermann, and Trent Menard.
Margarite Conner Bourque was born on August 1, 1938 to Alga Conner and Mayvel Veazey Conner. She was born and raised in Pecan Island, LA. At the young age of 15, Margarite left her childhood home and married Leonard Bourque, Sr. He was the love of her life. Anyone who took the time to listen to her talk about him and their past adventures could feel the love that she had for him. It was evident in the way she spoke of him to all who were willing to pull up a chair and listen. Together, they raised 7 children: Barron, Rhonda, Richard, Leonard Jr., Phillip, Stephanie, and Malcom.
For twenty years, Margarite and Leonard owned Pecan Island Food Store. On any given day, one could find her behind the register, greeting fishermen, hunters, members of her community, and strangers, who were just passing through. During these years she was dedicated to serving her community and took pride in offering some of the best products and services to such a rural area.
After retirement, she and her husband, Len, found great pleasure in traveling. She often spoke of the memories they made while traveling from as close as their local camping club to as far as Mexico. If the walls of that motorhome could talk, oh what stories it could tell. A time filled with sharing a love of the outdoors, cooking and entertaining, a competitive game of cards, but most of all, fellowship!
Margarite was a lady of many talents. In her 87 years, she was known for sewing, quilting, painting, baking, tag teaming any woodwork project that her husband had envisioned, but the most cherished talent of all was the homemade Christmas gifts that she would create for her children and grandchildren each year. Over the years, she has gifted homemade quilts, baby blankets and bonnets, wooden clocks, Christmas ornaments, homemade coasters, embroidered pillow cases, diamond art pictures, pot holders, dish warmers, and sun catchers, to name a few. Homemade gifts made with love are the ones that will be cherished and missed most of all by those who were blessed to receive them!
She had sixteen grandchildren! As each of her grandchildren got married, they would receive a king size quilt as a wedding gift. She made sure to stay busy and work ahead so that the tradition would continue for each one of them to receive such a special gift from her. So much love was stitched into each patchwork square. Each piece told a story, but the story wasn’t just in the fabric; it was in the making. Who cut the squares? Who dedicated the time stitching them together? Who the quilt was meant to warm? That’s who Margarite was! If you received a gift from her, it was well thought out and gifted from her heart.
In years past, Sundays were known for having family gathered around her dining room table to enjoy a feast that she had prepared for those that she loved most. The sounds of spoons scratching Magnolite pots filled with pot roast and fresh veggies, followed by homemade tarts and lemon cream pies made those who were blessed to attend, appreciative for her time devoted in her kitchen.
Later in life, Margarite made the decision to return to school and get her diploma. Education was important to her and she instilled this in her children and grandchildren. What better way to practice what she preached than to receive her diploma in her forties, proving that one is never too old to achieve a goal that is worthy and holds importance to them, all while unveiling her perseverance and GRIT! Once she made up her mind to do something, there was no one that was going to change it! A character trait that most envy from a strong, independent woman!
Margarite was a devout servant of the Catholic faith and all that it entailed. She could be found leading the rosary before mass, hosting a prayer group, or attending daily mass. She was a member of The Ladies Altar Society in Pecan Island and The Catholic Daughters in Kaplan, LA where she devoted her time to supporting her church and its congregation. Any of her grandchildren will tell you that having the priest over for dinner was the norm and if you slept over, you could be found kneeling bedside reciting the rosary before bed, or if you were traveling home from any road trip with them, Mother Mary led us home. She was a woman of faith and even through the loss of a child, her husband, a grandchild, and a great grandchild, her faith never wavered.
In September 2005, the devastating Hurricane Rita caused Margarite and her husband to leave Pecan Island and relocate to Kaplan, LA. Here Margarite found the camaraderie of community within her church and began to establish roots; however, Pecan Island always had her heart.
Margarite is survived by her 6 children: Barron Bourque (Lenez), Rhonda Bourque Harrington (Brent), Richard Bourque (Joanie), Leonard Bourque, Jr. (Lisa), Stephanie Bourque Scheuermann (Karl), and Malcom Bourque (Carolyn). 16 grandchildren: Richelle Bourque Marceaux (Gabe), Lana Harrington Menard (Trent), Joshua Bourque, Ashley Bourque Waguespack (Mike), Luke Harrington (Ashley), Jaimee Bourque Romero (Jacob), Krystle Harrington Hood (Jayson), Leah Bourque, Julie Bourque Deal (Bo), Kyle Bourque (Sally), Jonathon Bourque, Kale Scheuermann, Mary Beth Bourque Baudoin (Kyle), Aimee Bourque, and Callie Scheurmann, 37 great grandchildren, 5 great, great grandchildren, her furbaby Marli, and her sister Shirley Lege.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Bourque, Sr., her parents Alga Conner and Mayvel Veazey Conner, her son Phillip Bourque, her grandson Douglas Bourque, her great granddaughter Addyson Bertrand, her brothers Wallace Conner and Robert (T-Bob) Conner, and sister Mary Ena Conner LeMaire.
Margarite’s faith filled spirit will be missed by all who were blessed to be known and loved by her. She has loved us our whole life and we will miss her the rest of ours.
Her family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the medical staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, LA. Through her hardest days, they showed her and her family continuous love, support, and compassion.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.