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Patches “Pat” Suire

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Mr. Patches “Pat” Suire will be held at David Funeral Home on Friday, December 31, 2021 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Steve officiating.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home on Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday from 8 a.m. until time of services.
A resident of Abbeville, Mr. Patches passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, and being outside. He was a volunteer for the fire department and loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Suire of Abbeville; his son, Brody Suire and his fiancé Lizzie Thevis of Abbeville; his daughter, Dodie Suire and her boyfriend Thomas Derouen of Abbeville; his parents, Elton Suire and Sherry Doucet Suire of Erath; his sister, Monica Suire and her boyfriend Ridge Delcambre of Lafayette; his sister in law, Paulette Peltier and her husband Chris of Abbeville; his Mother in law Victoria LeMaire of Abbeville; his grandchildren, Paxton Suire, Sophia Clark, Raelynn Boudreaux, Kaylon Harton, and Paige Derouen; and his niece, Layla Lormond.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Caillouet; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Felton Suire; his father in law, Wilmer LeMaire; his uncles, Elias Doucet, Jr. and Francis Theriot; and his sister in laws, Veronica Breaux and Yevette Uriegas.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville (337)893-3777 2600 Charity St. Will be handling the arrangements.

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Crews worked Thursday morning to replace the transformer at the Felicity Street Electrical Substation. The city is reporting that, as of noon, power has been fully restored on the south side of Abbeville.

Power fully restored on the south side of Abbeville

As of noon on Thursday, power has been fully restored on the south side of Abbeville.
City officials announced that the damaged transformer at the Felicity Street Electrical Substation has been replaced.
Anyone who is in their home and does not have power can contact the city at 337-893-8550 to report localized outages.

Sharp increase in Omicron cases across Louisiana

Proportion of Omicron cases is 88.5%

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) estimates the proportion of Omicron cases in our state is 88.5% for the week ending Dec. 25.*
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the proportion of Omicron in HHS Region 6 (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is 86.7%. Furthermore, 95% of parishes are at the 2 highest levels of community transmission.
*NOTE: LDH’s estimate for the Omicron proportion is preliminary and subject to change as more sequencing data are reported.

LDH Guidance
COVID-19 cases, emergency department visits and hospitalizations are sharply increasing throughout Louisiana. These alarming increases are attributable to the Omicron variant, which spreads faster than other variants and is now the dominant strain in our state.
Individuals not fully vaccinated account for 64% of new cases from December 16 through December 22. Furthermore, those not fully vaccinated account for 79% of COVID-19 hospitalizations on December 28.
LDH recommends getting vaccinated and boosted, masking indoors as well as outside when distancing is not possible, and limiting your exposure to those not in your household.
To learn about vaccination sites near you, call Louisiana's vaccine hotline at 855-453-0774. For a list of locations near you, visit https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine or text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish.

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City workers put a replacement transformer at the electrical substation on Felicity Street. The old transformer had to be replaced because it had a bullet hole in it.

Transformer shot, results in power outage Wednesday in Abbeville

Many in Abbeville woke up early Wednesday morning without power.
Inclement weather was not to blame, nor was there a breakdown of any equipment in the electrical system.
The cause...someone fired a weapon at an electrical substation, hitting a transformer. That led to an outage for at least 25% of the city.
“It’s very frustrating,” Mayor Mark Piazza said Wednesday morning.
At approximately 3:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, the Abbeville Police Department received a call of a blown transformer at the
Felicity Street electrical substation, which caused a power outage for a large portion of the city. Based on the initial investigation, the blown transformer resulted from the it being shot.
Wednesday morning, Piazza said the situation was being treated as a “pure act” of vandalism. However, by the afternoon, he said the seriousness of the situation had become clearer.
“We found another bullet hole in a smaller piece of the equipment in the electrical substation,” Piazza said. “They shot it more than once. By law, under federal energy guidelines, any act of sabotage of a high-voltage electrical system that is part of the transmission grid that affects a large number of the population is a federal offense. We are required to report that to the Department of Energy and the FBI. We are in the process of making that report.”
An early assessment of the situation showed that thousands in the city lost power and the city incurred thousands more in costs due to the damage.
“It did severe damage to the main transformer at the Felicity substation,” Piazza said. “We had probably 2,500 residences and several businesses without power. It’s probably somewhere in the vicinity of $150,000 worth of damage.”
The mayor said it is likely that the transformer cannot be repaired.
“This city is very fortunate to have a backup transformer in stock,” Piazza said.
City crews worked to install the replacement transformer throughout the day. Piazza expected the complete repairs to take until Wednesday evening.
According to Lt. Jonathan Touchet, a spokesman for the Abbeville Police Department, detectives were called to the scene and began their investigation. However, no suspects had been identified as of the Abbeville Meridional’s press time on Wednesday. Touchet said that no further details regarding their investigation would be released due to the active and ongoing investigation.
The Abbeville Police Department asks anyone who has any information regarding this or any crime to please contact the Abbeville Police Department by calling 893-2511. Additionally, you may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through CrimeStoppers of Vermilion by calling 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
“This is very serious,” Piazza said. “You have people who use medical equipment. They use breathing machines and those types of things in their homes. They depend on electricity. This could put some citizens in life-threatening situations. Thankfully, it wasn’t 98 degrees and in the middle of hurricane season.”

A press release from the APD contributed to this story.

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Elwood James Perry

Elwood James Perry, age 81, of Lovelady, formerly of Abbeville, LA, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021 at the St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan.
Elwood was born March 10, 1940 in Abbeville, Louisiana to parents, Wilton James Perry and Lillian Benard Perry. He had lived in Louisiana for many years before moving to Lovelady 9 months ago. Elwood served in the Army National Guard and was a retired home builder. He was a member of the St. Francis of the Tejas Catholic Church in Crockett.
Elwood is survived by son, Stuart Perry and wife, Bobbie of Pearson Chapel; daughter, Mitsy Bush and husband, Benny of Grapeland; grandchildren, Josh Perry of Waxahachie, Jenna Perry and finace, Micah Escamilla of Waxahachie, Katie Tranchina and fiance, Dan Ingles of Houston; children's mother, Sandi Sagrera of Crockett; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by parents, Wilton and Lillian Perry; sister, Verna Landry; son, Mark Eric Perry.
Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021 in the St. James Catholic Church in Esther, LA. with Father Manny Fernandez officiating. Entombment will follow in the St. James Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. James Catholic Church and Cemetery, 21125 LA Hwy 333, Esther, LA 70533.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.callawayallee.com.

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Linda Faye Ramke Stepp

September 23, 1949 - December 24, 2021

Linda Faye Ramke Stepp, 72, of Clarksville passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021, at Tennova Healthcare.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 30th, 2021, at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Shelton officiating. Burial will follow at Blooming Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, from 4-7 p.m. and again from 9 a.m. until the hour of service on Thursday at the funeral home.
Linda entered into this life on September 23, 1949, in Abbeville, LA to the late Charles and Alzia Hebert Ramke.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Jason Stepp; sisters, Dora Abshire, Catherine Ramke; brother, Louis Ramke.
Survivors include her husband, Mark Stepp; son, Josh Stepp; daughters, Tracie (Chris) Gaiser, Adrienne (Josh) Gibbs; grandchildren, Ethan Gaiser, Taylor Peterson, Raylynn Gibbs, Leah Gibbs; brothers, Maurice Ramke, Terry Ramke; sister, Beverly Branam.
Pallbearers will be Josh Gibbs, Chris Gaiser, Benjamin Sonnier, Scott Ramke, Sean Ramke, David Derouen, Jr.
Memorials may be made to Blooming Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.Navefuneralhomes.com.

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Clayton P. Broussard Sr.

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mr. Clayton P. Broussard Sr., 80, will be held on at 11:00AM on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Thursday December 30, 2021, from 4:00PM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday, December 31, 2021, from 8:00AM until the time of the services.
A native of Forked Island and a resident of Erath, Mr. Broussard passed away at 7:06AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. Mr. Broussard was very proud of his family and loved them very much. He also loved to watch sporting events.
Mr. Broussard is survived by one son; Clayton P. Broussard Jr. and his wife Kelly of Breaux Bridge; one daughter; Sharon B. Clostio and her husband James “Buddy” of Erath; four grandchildren; Jenee Higginbotham and her husband Andrew, Coy Costio and his wife Ashley, Tori Stout and her husband Seth, and Tanya Taylor and her husband Gavin; nine great-grandchildren; Bradain Higginbotham, Jax Higginbotham, Kai Higginbotham, Juliet Clostio, Eli Taylor, Lexie Taylor, Lane Stout, Cole Stout, and Kali Stout; two sisters; Carrie B. Suire of Forked Island and Mazel B. Broussard of Abbeville; and one brother-in-law; Jerry Uze of Franklin, LA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Birdie Uze Broussard. His parents; Theodore Broussard and Lilly Stelly Broussard; three brothers; Louis “Black” Broussard, Galton Broussard, and Claude Broussard; and two sisters; Willa Mae B. Landry and Edna B. Roy.
Serving as pallbearers will be James Clostio, Coy Clostio, Clayton P. Broussard Jr., Teddy Broussard, Brady Lee, and Lonnie Lee.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Johnson, Joe Whitmire, Tommy Harrington, Cleve Fusilier, and all of his Halliburton co-workers.
Condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Broussard at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam Street (337) 937- 0405 is in charge if the arrangements.

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Nelice “Nell” Romero Duck

October 20, 1939 ~ December 24, 2021

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Nelice Marie Romero Duck, 82, who died Friday, December 24, 2021 at Camelot of Broussard Assisted Living. Nell left this world on December 24, 2021 to finally rejoice in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating the services.
Nell was born on October 20, 1939 to Ernest and Ozita Hollier Romero.
For years Nell worked in the home healthcare system and took great pride in taking care of people. She wholeheartedly loved all her kids and grandkids and would talk about them every chance she could get. Nell loved talking about Jesus and loved sharing His word with others. She loved family get togethers, playing Bingo, playing Bourrée and had a passion for football. The New Orleans Saints was her favorite which she considered “her team” (and her neighbors could probably hear her dislike when the referees made a bad call against them).
The last few years of her life were spent at Camelot of Broussard where she made many new friends. She would socialize and gather around with them to listen to music, play Bingo and other organized events. One of her favorite most memorable events was participating in the “Senior Olympics” where she participated in the wheelchair race and shot put events.
Those left to cherish her memories are her three sons, Chucky Romero and his wife, Tina of New Iberia, Steven Duck and his wife, Judy of Illinois, and Dwayne Duck and his wife, Susan of Orange, TX; ten grandchildren, Tony Romero, Greg Romero, Katie Genisio, Ryan Reed, Brandon Duck, Treyven Duck, Brieaunna Duck, Anjolie Duck, Chelsi Duck, and Jasmin Landry; ten great grandchildren; and two sisters, Margie Duplantis and Roxie Bernard.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and the former Ozita Hollier; brother, Julian Romero; and many other relatives and close friends that she often talked about being able to be reunited with.
Although Nell will be missed and was loved by so many, we know she had the most amazing Christmas celebration that she ever could have had, the moment she stepped foot into Heaven and into the sweet arms of Jesus.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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Walter J. Bertrand

May 19, 1945 - December 21, 2021

GUEYDAN — Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Vincent Funeral Home - Gueydan honoring the life of Walter J. Bertrand., 76, who died Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at his residence, with Reverend Corey Campeaux officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Vickie Primeaux Bertrand of Gueydan; his two sons, Shannon Bertrand and his wife, Sandra of Abbeville and Shyle Bertrand and his wife, Jami of Maurice; his stepson, Justin Trahan of Gueydan; his stepdaughter, Brandy Trahan and her companion, Mark Lege of Morse; his five grandchildren, Hali Bertrand, Konner Bertrand, Kade Bertrand, Emeral Guidry and Brandi Hebert; his six step grandchildren, Case Trahan, Reagan Williams, Spence Boudreaux, Slaton Plaisance, Ethan Vincent and Dylan Vincent; and his two sisters, Virgie Barrientes of Lafayette and Cleo Smith and her husband, Johnny of Abbeville.
He was preceded in death by his son, Aaron Shane Bertrand; his sister, Edna Delcambre; his two brothers-in-law, Hector Barrientes and Carrol Delcambre and his parents, Julius Walter Bertrand and the former, Hortense Broussard.
The family requested that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Gueydan, 311 Fourth St., on Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at 2:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.

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Virginia Landry Norman

October 18, 1938 ~ December 24, 2021

ERATH — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville honoring the life of Virginia Landry Norman, 83, who died Friday, December 24, 2021 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery with Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Luke LeBlanc, Shane LeBlanc, Brody Dupuis, Brett Vaughan, Lonnie Boudreaux and Keith Norman.
Virginia is survived by her children, Lisa Vaughan, Gina Vaughan, Natasha Vaughan LeBlanc, son in law, Shane LeBlanc, Theresa Norman Elshire (Ken), Janet Norman Kahla (Kevin), Keith Norman (Nancy), and Lena Norman Blackstock, grandchildren: Melissa Bobo, Megan Bobo, Brett Vaughan, Lauren LeBlanc, Alyssa LeBlanc, Luke LeBlanc, Tyra Short, Dylan Albert, and Danielle Craig, great grandchildren; Hailey Lattero, Zaycla Vaughan, Layla Bobo, Lincoln Boudreaux, Maverick Dupuis and Cameron Spivey
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Daniel Norman; parents, Alton Adam Landry and Leta DuBois Landry; children, Bart Vaughan, Bret Vaughan, Cynthia Norman, and Sandra Richard; grandchildren, Matthew Primeaux, Katheryn Spivey and Tance Domingue.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, December, 29, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of service. A rosary will be prayed at 12:30 PM.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548