Clarence Joseph Anthony

St. Martinville - Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in St. Martinville, for Clarence Joseph Anthony, 75, who passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at his residence. Entombment will follow at St. Michael Mausoleum in St. Martinville. ; Father Justin Arockiasamy, SVD will officiate at the funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by his daughter, Janise Anthony and gifts will be presented to the Altar by his four children, Darrel, Jacqueline, Charlotte, and Janise. Mr. Anthony was retired from Coastal Timbers of New Iberia, after many years of dedicated service. He was a parishioner of Notre Dame Catholic Church where he had formerly served as a trustee and was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver, and a former member of the Union Benevolent Society. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and baseball. Those times that he treasured most were the times spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, and he took great pleasure in helping other people. He had a strong will of faith and always emphasized to his grandchildren the importance of following a good path with Christ in their lives. Mr. Anthony never met a stranger and will long be remembered by his fondness of these two inspirational quotes, "If you smile, the world smiles back" and "Every day is a holiday." He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and all those who had the honor and privilege of knowing and loving him. Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Dorothy V. Anthony, of St. Martinville; one son, Darrel J. Anthony and his wife, Josephine, of New Iberia; three daughters, Jacqueline Anthony and her fianc, Curtis Alexander, of Baton Rouge, Charlotte Anthony, of Baton Rouge, and Janise Anthony, of St. Martinville; two brothers, Elton Anthony and his wife, Armantine, and Leroy Anthony, Sr. and his wife, Barbara, all of St. Martinville; one sister, Emily Mitchell and her husband, Harold, of Lutcher, LA; and two grandchildren, Jarrad Anthony, of New Iberia, and Meghan Anthony, of St. Martinville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Lena James Anthony; and a sister, Anna Belle Valsin. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and continue at 7 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Pallbearers will be Jarrad Anthony, Floyd Tate, Eugene Valsin, III, Greg Valsin, Leroy Anthony, Jr., and Wilbert Anthony. Honorary pallbearers will be Elton Anthony, Leroy Anthony, Sr., Harold Mitchell, Russell Valsin, Octave Valsin, Raymond Mitchell, James Wiltz, Milton Valsin, Rodney Girouard, and Curtis Alexander. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.