Andrew Champagne

New Iberia - A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2010 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia for Andrew Champagne, 74 who died Monday, January 18, 2010 in New Iberia. ; Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. ; Msgr. Douglas Courville will be the Celebrant. ; Mr. Champagne was born June 16, 1935 in New Iberia. He entered the United States Air Force in 1953, completing his initial training at Lackland Air Force Base, in Texas, and Biloxi Air Force Base. Then was assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron (SAC) until 1954, after which he was assigned to serve in Japan and Korea for a period of 6 years. His next assignment was as a Drill Instructor at Lack Land Air Force Base, and then in 1962 as an administration supervisor in the rank of Technical Sgt. In 1966, he was assigned to the Air Base Group at Tonsonut Air Base in Vietnam where he served as an administrative assistant to the Base Commander. Sgt. Champagne served until June 1967 when he received the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam. He returned to the United States and was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. Andrew went to work for Delhomme Industries for 8 years during which time he served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for 4 years, starting in 1976 until his retirement in 2001. He was self employed as a building contractor. ; Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Louise Dugas Champagne; daughters, Tanya C. Burton and husband R.L. of St. Francisville, Joan Champagne and husband Dave Falgout of Youngsville, Andrea C. Metz and husband Eric of New Iberia; sons, Paul A. Champagne and wife Renee of New Iberia, Matthew Champagne and wife Andrea of Buford, Georgia; sisters, Lou Thomas and Lucille Dugas both of New Iberia; 10 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. ; He was preceded in death by his parents, Valcour and Alida Romero Champagne; sisters, Lavinia Fairley, Ruby Champagne, Willa Delhomme, Weida Champagne, Thelma Breaux; brother, James Champagne, Outhwaite Champagne, Harold Champagne, Henry Allen Champagne, and Edwin Champagne. ; The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Donald Pavy, Hospice of Acadiana, the Miles Perret Center, and to the Lydia Cancer Association for their extraordinary care and compassion. ; Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503, the Miles Perret Center, PO Box 80763, Lafayette, LA 70598, or to the Lydia Cancer Association, PO Box 731, New Iberia, LA 70569. ; A gathering of family and friends will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. ; Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.