Wilbert J. “Smiley” Menard

ERATH — Funeral Services for Mr. Wilbert J. “Smiley” Menard, 77, will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at David Funeral Home Chapel of Erath with Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating. Interment and Military Honors will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Mausoleum in Delcambre.
A lifelong resident of Erath, Mr. Menard passed away peacefully on Monday, July 25, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, LA surrounded by his family.
Everyone who knew him called him by his nickname, “Smiley,” which he received when he was a young boy. His smile and laugh would light up a room; he will be remembered by the joy and laughter he brought to everyone he met.
Smiley was a 1964 graduate of Erath High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and was stationed in Fort Polk. He was honorably discharged from the Army and decided to finish the remaining contract with the United States Army Reserves. He managed a grocery store for years and sat on the board of councilman in Delcambre before deciding to open a night club in 1978. “Smiley’s Bayou Club” is one of the last night clubs in the area that was known for Cajun and Swamp Pop Bands providing entertainment for all. People have traveled from as far as France to visit this one-of-a-kind dancehall and it is listed in the Hall of Fame in the Acadian Museum in Erath. He had a great love for dancing and entertaining, and he enjoyed waltzing or two-stepping with anyone who would let him. He found great joy in spending time with his family that also included his “entertainment family” and friends. He also had a love for classic cars and even purchased a Chevrolet Corvette for weekend joy rides. Smiley was a dear and kind person who never met a stranger; he will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him. Words that will forever be heard by those who loved him was, “see you later, bee. Love you big big.”
He is survived by two daughters; Celeste Gary and her husband Eddie of Delcambre, and Jessica Desormeaux Sherman and her husband Ryan of Kaplan; one son, Gage Desormeaux of Erath; one sister, Cecile Touchet and her husband Clifford of Kaplan, who he saw as a brother; five grandchildren, Keisha Stelly (Gary) and her husband Kyle, Lacey Broussard (Gary) and her husband Jake, Kyle Gary, Emma and Gracie Sherman; five great-grandchildren, Kelsie and Hunter Simmons, Eli and Kennedy Broussard, and AnnaMarie Gary; his companion and her son, Judy and Nicholas Chiasson; numerous nieces and nephews; his godchildren, Jason Babin, Jeannie Grossie, Christine Duhon, Nicole Washington, Krislyn LeBlanc, Eric Frederick; and Karl Babin, a nephew who he held dear to his heart and looked at like a son.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eraste Menard Sr. and Olive St. Amant Menard; three brothers, Louis St. Amant, James Clifford Menard, and Eraste Menard Jr.; one sister, Mary Louise Migues; the daughter of his companion, Chelsie Miguez (his little angel); and his former wife and lifelong friend, Brenda Mendoza.
Serving as pallbearers will be Kyle Gary, Brad Bouzigard, Gage Desormeaux, Eric Frederick, Tommy Touchet, and Ryan Sherman.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Cy Babin, Karl Babin, Jason Babin, Jake Broussard, Eddie Gary, Louis Eddie Gary, Shane Miguez, Kyle Stelly, Clifford Touchet, and Terry Washington.
The family would like to send special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff in the ICU at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital. They would also like to thank Dr. Puri and Dr. Pasad for the wonderful care that was given during his final days.
The family request that visiting hours be observed at David Funeral Home - Erath, 209 Putnam St., on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, from 5:00PM until 10:00PM. Visitation will resume on Thursday, July 28, 2022, from 8:00AM until the time of services.