Elie Joseph Champagne, Sr.

Erath - Funeral services for Elie Joseph Champagne, Sr.,  86, of Erath, will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday on December 28, 2016 in the David Funeral Home Chapel in Erath with burial to follow in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Erath.  Deacon Tim Marcantel of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church will officiate.   Visitation will be observed from 10:00AM to service time on Wednesday at David Funeral Home with a recitation of the rosary at 11:00AM.

A native of Henry and resident of Erath, Mr. Elie, affectionately known as "Coon" died peacefully at 9:30PM on Friday December 23, 2016 at Eastridge Nursing Home surrounded by family.  He was passionate about playing  the accordion, singing, cooking for and entertaining family and friends and was a great storyteller.  In his younger years Elie worked as a farm hand and later retired from the oilfield.  He also enjoyed many years with his family and friends at his camp in Johnson Bayou.

He is survived by three sons, Larry Champagne and wife Mary Grace of Erath, Elie Champagne, Jr. and fiancé Nora Latiolais of New Iberia, and John Champagne of Delcambre.  Two Daughters, Susan Sons and husband Neal of Erath and Delana Champagne of Youngsville.  One son in law, Marcus Breaux of Erath and one daughter in law, Bonnie Champagne of Youngsville.  Three sisters, Elaine LeBlanc of Delcambre, Edith Suire of Erath, and Laurence Landry of Delcambre.  Twenty grandchildren and thirty seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey Ann Lange Champagne; his parents, Felician and Lillian Toups Champagne; a son, Rayford Champagne, Sr. and a daughter, Rita Faye Champagne Breaux; two sisters, Rena Luquette and Elida Luquette and a brother, Lester Champagne.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rayford (Bubba) Champagne, Jr., Lane Wicks, Corporal Drew Breaux, Tyler Monteaux, Matthew Breaux and Bladyn Breaux.

The family would like to thank the staff at Eastridge Nursing Home whom he considered as family and Hospice of Acadiana for the love and care that they bestowed on their father.

David Funeral Home of Erath, 209 East Putnam Street; (337) 937-0405 are in charge of the arrangements.