John D. Fruge

Mildred Lopez

Samuel Anthony Maggio

Deborah Sue McDaniel

Karen E. Broussard 
Pickett

Ida Mae Smith

James W. Treadway III

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John D. Fruge

John D. Fruge, age 89, of Moss Bluff, La., passed away on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. John was born on July 2, 1931.

John was a native of Elton and lifelong resident of Moss Bluff. He attended Landry High School. He was a U.S. Marine Veteran serving in the Korean War as a Buck Sergeant. He served as an Usher at St. Theodore Catholic Church for over 50 years; also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3622, the VFW #9933, and the Cajun Music Association.

John retired from Citgo as a Welder and Operator after 34 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shrimping and making homemade model airplanes and tanks, writing and playing Cajun music, watching football and spending time with family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his four sons, Clair Fruge (Keitha) of Moss Bluff, La., Owen Fruge and John B. Fruge of Moss Bluff, La., and Ivan Fruge (Hong) of Iowa, La.; three daughters, Jean Thellen (Mike) of Houston, Texas, Ginger LeDoux (Bryan) of Moss Bluff, La., and Rebecca Clavier (Ron) of Sulphur, La.; five grandchildren, Brittani Provost, James Fruge, Michael Fruge, Mehgan Clavier and Dillon LeDoux; and four great-grandchildren, Sage, Millie, Mason and Rigel.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Doris Granger Fruge; his parents, Veillor and Ophelia Fruge; five brothers; and three sisters.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at Hixson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, starting at 8 a.m. until the time of the service. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, at 11 a.m. at St. Theodore Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Old Ritchie Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonmossbluff.com for the Fruge family.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Amedisys Hospice Staff and Caregivers.

Mildred Lopez

Mildred Mercedes Lopez, 78, of Lake Charles, La., died at 1:12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in her residence.

Born March 11, 1942, in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, Mrs. Lopez was the tenth of eleven children born to Arcadio and Marina Santini. She moved to Pennsylvania in 1982 and then to Lake Charles in 1993. She received her degree in Medical Technology from the University of Puerto Rico and graduated in 1993 from Penn State University with her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She worked as the accountant alongside her husband at Rehabilitation and Rheumatology Associates. She was a longtime member of the Lake Charles Country Club. She was an avid golfer and could be found on the golf course multiple times a week with her friends and her husband. Mrs. Lopez also enjoyed reading and was known for her wonderful cooking.

Mrs. Lopez is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dr. Frank W. Lopez; children, Mildred Goebel and husband Tom, Frank Lopez, MSGT, USAF and wife Lila, and Mercedes Lopez and companion Damon Bagwell; sisters, Iris V. Santini, Nelly Diaz, Marina Santini, Iraida Rosado and Noemi Colon; and grandchildren, Lauren Goebel, Paige Goebel, Noah Goebel, Alex Lopez, and Emilee Lopez.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and two sisters.

Her cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home. A private time of remembrance and gather will be at a later date.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Stephanie Schlesinger, her companion and best friend, and husband Anthony, Dr. Sandra Bruno, Dr. Landry, Dr. Frank Marrero, Dr. Alan LeBato, Katherine DeVillier, Kentra Arceneaux, Adria Maddox, Schermaine Bias, Deidra Weldon, Karen Doucet, and Stacy Guy for the compassion and care given.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mildred’s name to any Parkinson’s organization.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

Samuel “Sam” 
Anthony Maggio

Samuel “Sam” Anthony Maggio was born on Jan. 21, 1930. A resident of Vinton for 65 years, he passed away on Oct. 25, 2020, at the age of 90.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Janice Maggio; children, Sammy Maggio Jr. (Vickie), Mike Maggio (Cheryl), Cindy Maggio, Kim Maggio (Kevin Augustine), Carlo Maggio (Kalli); and brother, Billy Maggio (Netchanok); grandchildren, Sammy Maggio III (Tiffaney), Shawn Maggio (Rachelle), Chad C. Maggio, Jeff Miller (Tisha), DeeDee Daigle Thibodeaux (Justin), Dr. Shane Daigle (Megan Akers), Brandon Maggio (Lindsey), Beau Maggio (Katie), Jamie Maggio, John Trahan, Samantha Trahan, Honor Kate Maggio, Charlee Rose Maggio and Myles Joseph Maggio; an abundance of great-grandchildren; and his godchildren, Marla Maggio and Tonya Maggio Mass (David).

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rose Maggio; brothers, Kenneth Maggio and Charles Maggio; and children, Gregg Maggio and Ricco Maggio.

As a graduate of Natchitoches High School in 1949, Sam excelled in basketball, baseball, football, and track. As a young man, he worked for Marathon Oil Company and continued on this path for 40 years. As a community supporter, Sam coached recreational sports, drove the school bus for Our Lady’s School, was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as the Justice of the Peace in the community of Vinton.

Sam was young at heart, and always lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf and anything outdoors. His favorite thing to do was “drinking Miller High Life at B&B and dancing with Momma.” He will be remembered as never meeting a stranger, and never having an enemy. His free-spirited personality will be missed by many.

A Requiem Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in St. Joseph Catholic Church with Canon Jean Marie Moreau officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hixson Vinton Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Niblett Bluff Cemetery under the direction of Hixson Vinton Funeral Home.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Sammy Maggio III, Shawn Maggio, Chad C. Maggio, Brandon Maggio, Beau Maggio and John Trahan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made St Joseph Catholic Church, Vinton, La.

Words of comfort and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.hixsonvinton.com.

Deborah Sue McDaniel

Deborah Sue Dubroc McDaniel, 68, of Taylor, Ark., passed away at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in a New Orleans Hospital.

Miss. McDaniel was born Aug. 7, 1952, in Lake Charles, La., where she was raised. She lived many years in Haynesville, La., before moving to Taylor, Ark. in 1991. She worked for Piggly Wiggly, where she ran the meat department and also was the owner and operator of The Country Diner. Miss. Debbie, as she was known, was a member of Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoyed wood working and during her younger years, she enjoyed making signs. She will always be remembered as an amazing cook and was loved by all.

Mrs. McDaniel is survived by her sons, Corey Scott McDaniel of Westfield, Mass., and Shannon Dale McDaniel of Taylor, Ark.; brother, Emerson Dubroc of Springhill, La.; seven grandchildren, Colton McDaniel, Cameron McDaniel, Chase McDaniel, Justin Simpson, Bianca Hiltz, Morgan McDaniel and Ty McDaniel; her beloved dog, Lil Bit; church family at Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church; and her friends and neighbors in Walker Creek.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur McDaniel; and parents, Avit Paul Dubroc and Marie Hebert Broussard.

Her graveside service will be held at Creel Memorial Gardens in Bel, La., at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

Karen E. 
Broussard Pickett

Karen E. Broussard Pickett, age 67, of Vinton, La., passed away on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Lake Charles, La., with her loving husband, Tom by her side. Karen was born Sept. 17, 1953, in Orange, Texas, to the late Elton “Goober” Broussard and M. Joyce Broussard.

As a child, she spent many happy years at “the Ranch” riding horses and enjoying the love of doting grandparents. Karen attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Vinton High School, becoming the editor of the school yearbook her senior year and graduating the class of 1971. She attended McNeese State University with an interest in journalism, public relations and sales. Karen held several jobs in these fields as Editor of the Vinton News, at Delta Downs as the first Director of Advertising and Public Relations and Ad sales representative for radio.

She and Tom spent many of their 35 years together traveling extensively to places such as Hawaii, Florida Keys, Canada, Arizona, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Karen also had a love of collecting and browsing for antiques, but especially loved spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Tom of Vinton; three siblings, Kenneth (Brenda) Broussard, and Kim (David) Duplechian, both of Lake Charles, La., and Kathryn Broussard of Baton Rouge; nieces and nephews, Lauren (Daryl) Westmoreland and children, Henry Kyle and Olivia Kate; Trent (Brittany) Duplechian and children, Andi Renee and Kori Kate; Clarisse (Kevin) Koch and son Kade Parker; and Trevor Duplechian.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Kay Broussard; and nephew, Kyle Broussard.

Visitation will be held beginning at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Hixson Funeral Home, Vinton. A Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home. Visitation will resume at 8 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vinton. The Rev. Carlos Garcia will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lee Granger Cemetery in Vinton.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Karen’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lee Granger Cemetery or a charity of your choice.

The family requests that Covid-19 precautions be observed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonvinton.com for the Pickett family.

Ida Mae Smith

Funeral service for Ida Mae Smith, 96, will be 1 p.m. today, Oct. 27, in Combre Funeral Home.

James W. 
”Jimmy” Treadway III

James W. “Jimmy” Treadway III, 57, of Westlake, died Sunday, Oct. 25. Cremation is entrusted to Hixson Funeral Home of Westlake.