Conrad Joseph Halphen, Jr.

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Church in Coteau Holmes for Conrad Joseph Halphen, Jr., 89, who passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm on Friday and continue on Saturday at 8:00 am until 12:15 pm. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Friday. Rev. Joseph Padinjarepeedika will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Lectors will be Adele Catherine Comeaux and Kasey Smith Kennedy. Gift bearers will be Pamela Bertrand Romero, Lynn Boudreaux Bertrand, and Hayden Marie Comeaux. Interment will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Coteau Holmes. Conrad Joseph Halphen, Jr. was born October 27, 1928, the youngest of two children born to Conrad Halphen, Sr. and Julia O'Flarity Halphen. He was a graduate of St. Martin Senior High School, Class of 1945, where he lettered in track, football, and basketball. After high school, he then attended SLI. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served stateside during the Korean War as an aircraft mechanic with the 3532nd Maintenance Squadron after completing basic training at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. He was Honorably Discharged with a rank of Staff Sergeant on July 17, 1952. Conrad married the love of his life, Helen Marie Bertrand, on April 4, 1959 and welcomed their only child, Stephanie Julia, on January 14, 1960. Conrad was a lifelong parishioner of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Coteau Holmes, serving as lector, usher, council member, and trustee, and along with his wife, Helen, was awarded the Diocese of Lafayette's Bishop's Service Medal. During his lifetime he served as Commander of the American Legion Post 31, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Louisiana Civil Defense. He served his community as past president of the Coteau Holmes Volunteer Fire Department and member of the Board of Directors of Bayou Teche Water Works. He retired from J.B. Talley and Company and spent the remainder of his years enjoying time with his family and being of service to his community. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Julia Halphen Comeaux and husband Steve; grandchildren, Aaron Christopher Comeaux and companion, Kasey Smith Kennedy, and Adele Catherine Comeaux and her fianc, Rocky Joseph Touchet; great grandchildren, Kevin James Comeaux and Hayden Marie Comeaux; brother-in-law, Melvin and spouse Grace Granger Bertrand, Sr.; and sister-in-law, Patsy Lastrape Bertrand. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Marie Halphen; parents Conrad Joseph and Julia O'Flarity Halphen, Sr.; sister, Verna Halphen Slifko; brothers-in-law, Raymond Slifko and Larry Bertrand, Sr.; niece, Elizabeth Bertrand; and nephews, Toby Bertrand and Todd Bertrand. Pallbearers will be Aaron Christopher Comeaux, Steve Comeaux, Melvin Bertrand Jr., Kenneth Bertrand, Rocky Touchet, and Kendall Romero. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin James Comeaux, Ayden Thomas Kennedy, Logan Romero, and Treavor Romero. The family extends sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, the nurses and staff of Heart of Hospice, and his wonderful caregiver, Karen Zeno. Special thanks to Kayla Sonnier, APRN for her years of compassionate healthcare. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville, 112 New Market St., St. Martinville, LA 70582, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.