Lee Thomas Kleinpeter, Sr.

New Iberia - Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia for Lee Thomas Kleinpeter, Sr., 92, who passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019, in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Rev. Ed Degeyter will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be on Thursday from 9:00 am until at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A native and lifelong resident of Iberia Parish, Mr. Kleinpeter was born on February 28, 1926 to the late Thomas G. Kleinpeter and Mabel Dugas Kleinpeter. He was self- employed owning many different companies in our area including Klein-Deco Wireline, which at one time was the largest independent wireline company, Iberia Fire and Safety, and Cajun Wireline. Mr. Kleinpeter employed and helped many people throughout his life. He enjoyed gardening, deer hunting, riding on his vintage tractor, and most of all spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Edler Hernandez Kleinpeter of New Iberia; daughter, Kathleen Miguez and husband Kenny of New Iberia; son, Lee T. Kleinpeter, Jr. of New Iberia; stepsons, Kansas Hernandez and wife Aileen of Lafayette, Matthew Hernandez and wife Kim of New Iberia, Alvin Hernandez, Jr. and life partner Bill of Alexandria, Shawn Hernandez and wife Holly of Lafayette; grandsons, Thomas Hans Kleinpeter, and Paul Matthew Kleinpeter; step grandchildren, Kristen Ann Bayard and husband William, Eric Hernandez, Aimee Hernandez, Alyssa Melancon and husband Chase, Taylor Hernandez, Cade Hernandez, Reece Hernandez; and a step great grandson, Wyatt Melancon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Billie Hebert Kleinpeter: daughters, Kay Ellen Kleinpeter and Bonnie Anne Kleinpeter; son, Karl Wayne Kleinpeter; daughter-in-law, Margaret Anne Torrey Kleinpeter; and a brother, Dolan P. Kleinpeter. The family would like to give special thanks to his caregiver, Becky Etienne, for her loving care and compassion. May God bless her greatly. In addition, the Mr. Kleinpeter’s family would like to give special appreciation to Heart of Hospice, especially Julie, Elaine, and Terri, for their care and support. Memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Angels Paws Adoption Center, P.O. Box 11422, New Iberia, LA 70562. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560, (337-365-3331) is in charge of arrangements.