Luma 'Pap' Nelson, Jr

Coteau- A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Coteau, for Luma "Pap" Nelson Jr., 87. Entombment will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors by the Iberia Honor Guard. Rev. Barry Crochet will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Friday. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 8:00 AM until 10:15 AM. A loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend to many, Pap, as he was affectionately known, was a native and lifelong resident of Coteau. He passed away at the age of 87 on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at his home surrounded by his family. Luma proudly served his country in the United States Army, enlisting in 1951 and receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, with the rank of Corporal. He began working as Ranch Manager for EP Breaux and later opened his own Dirt Company. Some of his favorite pastimes were playing croquette, dancing, visiting with family & friends and traveling to Europe. He will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his children, Andrew Nelson and wife Gail of New Iberia, Benjamin Nelson and wife Cathy of Abbeville, Curtis Nelson and wife Matilda of New Iberia, Peter Nelson and wife Sheila of Lafayette, Kevin Nelson and wife Ana of Webster, MA, Dominque Chevalier and wife Yolande of Metz, France, and Elmira Castagnola and husband Dan of The Woodlands, TX; sister, Rita Alviar of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren, Nicole Nelson Hamlin, Ashley Nelson O''Connor, Ben Nelson, Jr., Lena Nelson, Curtis Nelson, Jr., Jessica Aleman Franca, Jasmine Aleman Hamlin, Jacob Nelson, Joe Nelson, Maila Nelson, Lauren Nelson Zuercher, Duston Nelson, Derrek Nelson, Adrian Castagnola, Kristian Castagnola, Daniel Nelson-Perez, Adrian Nelson-Perez, Celine Chevalier, Thibault Chevalier; and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma St.Andre Nelson; parents, Luma Nelson, Sr. and Nila Olivier Nelson; a son, Hacket Nelson; brothers, Joseph Nelson, William Nelson, Alfred Nelson, Dennis Nelson, Leo Nelson, and James Nelson; sisters, Nola Nelson Kerlegan, and Lily Mae St. Julien. Pallbearers will be Andrew Nelson, Benjamin Nelson, Curtis Nelson, Peter Nelson, Kevin Nelson, and Daniel Castagnola. The family would also like to recognize two special nieces, Donna Olivier and Elouise Nelson, and nephew, Harry Kerlegan Jr., for their love, support, and continuous care. They would also like to thank Debra Neuville for the kindness and patience she has shown throughout the past few years. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365-3331 is in charge of arrangements.