Harold Melancon

Cecilia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, on Monday, September 3, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia, for Harold Melancon, 88, who passed away on Thursday, August 30, 2012, at Lafayette General Medical Center. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm on Sunday and continue on Monday at 7:00 am until 9:45 am. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Sunday. Rev. Michael Delcambre will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by Marcie Dauphine and Hailey Scrantz. Gift Bearers will be Dr. Jeanne Theriot and Ory Bergeron. Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Cemetery in Arnaudville. Mr. Melancon was a graduate of the Nashville Auto Diesel College and retired in May 1984 from the St. Martin Parish School System, where he worked as a bus driver for 25 years. In addition to driving the school bus, Harold's main interest and greatest enjoyment was in farming; he farmed cotton, corn, sweet potatoes, wheat, sugarcane, and cattle, and did that for over 60 years. Harold had previously served as the chairman of the Agriculture Service Commission. Harold took pride in keeping the farm property neat and trimmed. While farming and running his bus route, he always volunteered his time to drive the athletes, cheerleaders or band members. Harold was a loving husband, father and friend. For the last few years, he was a loving and devoted caregiver to his wife of 70 years. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church, served as an 'Altar Boy' until he was 66 years old, served as a member of the Church Parish Council, and the Knights of Columbus. He proudly served as a member of the 13th Armored Division, under General Patton in World War II. He was honored to be the first 'Veteran of the Month' recognized by the Arnaudville V.F.W. In his youth, he was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed get-togethers. Nothing seemed to make him happier than making others happy. It was difficult to be around him without eating or drinking something. He loved to be around family and friends. Rocking babies and watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren playing always brought smiles to his face. He is survived by two daughters, Donna Bergeron and husband, Donald, of Breaux Bridge, and Carole Dauphine and husband, Glenwood, of Cecilia; six grandchildren, Ronald "Buddy" Scrantz, Jr., Guy D. Scrantz, Tony James Bergeron, Jamie Bergeron, Dr. Jeanne Theriot, and Marcie Dauphine; fourteen great grandchildren,, three great-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Laura Wright Melancon; his parents, Cletus and Jeanne Rowan Melancon; his sister, Verna Mae LeBlanc; and a great granddaughter, Kylie Scrantz. Pallbearers will be Shane Theriot, Ronnie LeBlanc, and his four grandsons, Ronald "Buddy" Scrantz Jr., Guy David Scrantz, Tony James Bergeron, and Jamie Bergeron. Pellerin Funeral Home of Cecilia is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com