Joseph Melancon

st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } Catahoula - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, on Monday, March 19, 2012, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Catahoula, for Joseph Ernest Melancon, 83, who passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2012 , at Iberia Medical Center. Rev. Richard Fabre will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery in Catahoula. Mr. Melancon was the owner and operator of Melancon's Bait Shop for 22 years and he had also served as the Assistant Chief of the Catahoula Fire Department for several years. He was very supportive of athletic programs in St. Martin Parish and sponsored numerous softball teams in the Catahoula area for many years. He enjoyed fishing and going to the horse races in his free time and loved visiting with his family and friends. His dedication and service to the community in which he lived, will long be remembered. He is survived by his loving wife, Celina Latiolais Melancon of Catahoula; his son, Russell J. Melancon and companion, Alzada Harrington, of Butte LaRose; his daughter, Barbara LaGrange and husband, Harold of Catahoula; his daughter-in-law, Sheila B. Melancon of Catahoula; four grandchildren, Julie Laviolette and husband, Donnie, Joshua Melancon and wife, Dana, Jeremy Melancon and wife, Naomi, all of Catahoula, Michael LaGrange of Edmond, OK; a step grandson, Hunter Harrington of Butte LaRose; and four great grandchildren, Tori and Landon Laviolette and Conley and Bryson Melancon, all of Catahoula. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clairville and Editha Cemere Melancon; and his sister, Earline M. Guidry. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Dion Hall in Catahoula from 9:30 am until 10:00 pm on Sunday and continue at 7:00 am until 9:30 am on Monday. A rosary will be recited on Sunday evening. Pallbearers will be Russell J. Melancon, Joshua Melancon, Jeremy Melancon, Michael LaGrange, Donnie Laviolette, and Hunter Harrington. Pellerin Funeral Home, (337.332.2111), is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com