2019_07_20_Obits

Published 5:00 am Saturday, July 20, 2019

Lois Dickenson Bekkerus

Linda Diann Brady

Lloyd Oliver Bruchhaus

Linda Anne Burns

Melvin J. Gallien Sr.

Jennifer Marie Manuel

Ensley William Merchant

Adam Wyatt Sandhoff

Lewis Theron Spear III

Kelly O’Neal Vigo

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Lois Dickenson Bekkerus

Lois Dickenson Bekkerus, 98, died on the 19th of April 2019 at Walnut Village Continuing Care Retirement Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Lois was a native of Virginia and had lived with her husband Bernherd and her daughter Becky in Lake Charles, La., since 1960. She was retired from Calcasieu Parish School Board, was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lake Charles, and participated with her daughter Becky in the Special Olympics for many years.

Her greatest joys in life were her family, church, travel and friends. She loved to share family stories of adventure camping in their van, living in Hungary, and walking on the Great Wall of China. Her husband and daughter were always by her side.

About eight years ago, after Bernherd died, Lois and her beloved daughter, Becky, moved to Anaheim, Calif.

Lois was cremated and buried next to her husband in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, Va. A memorial service in Lois’ memory will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1620 East Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601. The Rev. Tim Norris will officiate. All cards of condolence can be sent to Becky Bekkerus at 891 S. Walnut, Apt. 21, Anaheim, California 92602.

Linda Diann Brady

Linda Diann Brady, 68, of Glenmora, died Thursday, July 18,at home. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Longleaf Baptist Church. Interment will be in Campground Cemetery, Melder, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oakdale.

Lloyd Oliver Bruchhaus

ELTON — It is with heavy and full hearts that we announce the very peaceful passing of Lloyd Oliver Bruchhaus, 96, of Elton, which occurred Thursday, July 18, 2019, at the Southwest Louisiana Veteran’s Home in Jennings, La.

He not only became a friend to all that he crossed paths with; but was a best friend to countless individuals of all ages. He was always willing to help those that he loved with all of his heart. Lloyd was a farmer at his core — growing rice and soybeans. Later in his life, he downsized to a garden behind his home. Lloyd worked for Coushatta Casino Resort Maintenance Department until the age of 90.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife, Della and his infant son Christopher.

He is survived by his three sons, Darrel “D.D.” Bruchhaus (Debra) of Elton, Daniel Bruchhaus (Desi) of Elton, and Joseph Bruchhaus (Mary) of Elton; and his two daughters, Danelle “Tookie” Bruchhaus (Karen) of New Orleans, and Mary “Kaki” Bertrand (Roderick) of Elton. Lloyd also leaves behind eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family is forever grateful to the Southwest Louisiana Veteran’s Home for treating Lloyd with such love and respect for the past two years. He grew to love his new home there as well as his staff and caregivers. Some of his favorite past times during his last couple of years while he was there were Bingo, exercising at physical therapy, drinking coffee while visiting with his friends, reading in the library, and telling stories about his beloved Della Mae.

Funeral service for Mr. Bruchhaus will beat 10 a.m. Monday, July 22, 2019, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Elton with the Rev. Jose Vattakunnel officiating. Entombment will follow in St. Paul Mausoleum under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.

Visitation will be observed on Sunday, July 21, in Jennings at the Miguez Funeral Home Chapel at 4:30 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. It will resume at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Linda Anne Burns

Linda Anne Burns, 76, passed away July 3 in her home. A Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in Hixson Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.

Melvin J. Gallien Sr.

Melvin J. Gallien Sr., 85, of Lake Charles, died Tuesday, July 16, in a local hospice facility. Funeral Mass will be noon Saturday, July 27, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9-11:30 a.m.

Jennifer Marie Manuel

Jennifer Marie Manuel, 63, of Oberlin, died Wednesday, July 17. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. today, July 20, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Oberlin. Interment will be in Reed Cemetery, Guy Community, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oberlin.

Ensley William
”Dub” Merchant

Ensley William “Dub” Merchant, 93, passed away on July 17, 2019.

Ensley William “Dub” Merchant was born in Elizabeth, La., to William Ensley Merchant and Ada Crawford Merchant on Feb. 21, 1926. He lived in Moss Bluff, La., prior to moving to Natchitoches, La. He was a charter member of The First Baptist Church of Moss Bluff. Ensley was a U.S. Navy Veteran and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was also a graduate of McNeese State University. He was a master craftsman and enjoyed wood working for many years. He worked for the Department of Corrections for 34 years in Probation and Parole. He was instrumental in starting one of the first Boy Scout Troops in Moss Bluff. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Those left to cherish his memory are son, Robert Ensley Merchant of Singer, La.; Sister Eunice Wilson of Shreveport, La.; granddaughter, Kendra Ann Merchant of Lafayette, La.; and great-grandsons, Tyler Anthony Guillory of Monroe, La., and Trevor Ensley Guillory of Lafayette, La.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lora Alston Merchant; parents, William Ensley Merchant and Ada Crawford Merchant; sisters, Nell Ricco, Myrtle Hassel, Myrtress Maddocks and Mary Ruth Hall.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2019, at Hixson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff. The Rev Bill Saxby will officiate. Visitation will be held on Sunday from noon till time of service. Burial will follow at Old Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at Harbor Hospice and The Gardens for the wonderful care they showed to Mr. Ensley Merchant. The family would also like to give a special thanks to Dr. Ellendale Gabbert, Dr. Ralph Hayes, Dr. Jason Langhofer and their staff.

Adam Wyatt Sandhoff

Adam Wyatt Sandhoff, 18, died Wednesday, July 17. A Mass of Christian burial is 10 a.m. today, July 20, in St. Raphael Catholic Church of Iowa. Burial will be in Lacassine Cemetery under the direction of Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa.

Lewis Theron Spear III

Jan. 25, 1961- July 12, 2019

A Memorial service and celebration of Lew’s life was held Sunday July 14, 2019 at Christ Presbyterian Church, Georgetown Texas.

Lew Spear, 58, a resident of Georgetown, Texas and Boone, N.C. went home to be with Lord on July 12, 2019, in Austin. Texas. He was preceded in death by his father Lt. Col. Lewis T. Spear Jr. and his Grandparents, Finis and Frances Brown, and Lewis and Evelyn Spear all of Lake Charles. Lew was born in Ft. Riley, Kan. where he acquired the nickname “Chip”. He was raised in a number of places, primarily Lake Charles, La. and Fayetteville, N.C.

Lew was a true renaissance man. He started working as a teen in heating and air, moved to welding, framing, and cabinet and furniture making, finally receiving his contractor’s license. He built houses and Pizza Huts across the Southeast. Lew later worked as an AutoCAD Detailer for large steel framed construction and oil pipeline companies. He was an accomplished artist and musician, playing the acoustic and electric guitar, bass, mandolin, and violin. He loved children, animals, and the outdoors camping, hiking kayaking and fishing.

Lew came to know the Lord relatively late in life, at age 35. He Loved the Lord and was truly a Christian man and wonderful husband, father and son.

Lew is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Dillard Martin Spear; his mother, Marsha Brown Spear; son, Christopher Ashley Spear; granddaughter, Ayla Peyton Lee; his stepson, Robert Gordon IV; uncle, Robert Dale Spear and wife Lana; aunt Rebecca Brown Roberts and husband Richard; brother-in-law, Edgar Archer Dillard III and wife Cindie; sister-in-law, Le Anh Dillard; sister-in-law, Barbara Dillard McClurkin and husband Edwin; and a host of nieces, cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made in Lew’s name to: Hebron Colony Ministries 356 Old Turnpike Rd. Boone, NC 28607 (a free Christian 10-week residential program for alcoholics and drug addicts) or Christ Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 3613 Williams Dr., Suite 201 Georgetown, TX 78628

Kelly O’Neal Vigo

Kelly O’Neal Vigo, 71, of Lake Charles, died Wednesday, July 17, in a local care facility. Funeral service will be at noon today, July 20, at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Lake Charles. Burial will be in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.