Loreauville " Funeral Services will be conducted for Francis Mestayer, Age 88, at 1:00PM Tuesday May 17, 2011 at St. Josephs Catholic Church with Father Buddy Breaux officiating. Interment will follow in St. Josephs Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9:00AM until service time with a Rosary being prayed at 11:00AM. A native and lifelong resident of Loreauville, Mr. Mestayer died Friday May 13, 2011 at 8:15PM at his residence in Loreauville. Mr. Mestayer bravely served his country during WWII. He received a purple heart and the bronze star for his actions during the war. Upon his completion of duty with the Army he returned to his hometown of Loreauville in 1946. He was a devoted member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Loreauville and was an original member of Loreauville Knights of Columbus Council as well as being one of the first Eucharistic Ministers. Mr. Mestayer retired from Texaco Oil Co. after 39 years of service. In addition to his duties as a pumper he was also a first aid instructor for Texaco for 25 years. During one rainy day in 1980 Francis was called to administer first aid to an injured outside contractor who was working on an oil rig owned by Texaco in the Atchafalaya Basin. For his quick actions and attention to detail Texaco awarded Francis their annual company-wide safety award. In addition he also received the national safety award given annually by the American Petroleum Institute. He was an avid vegetable gardener, LSU and Loreauville Tiger fan; however, what Francis loved most was walking the woods of his beloved Atchafalaya Basin always on the lookout for that ever elusive Big Buck . The family would like to thank Heart of Hospice as well as caregivers, Judy Bourque, Cheryl Huval, Linda Edwards and Marie Sonnier for their tender heartwarming and dedicated service during Mr. Francis illness. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Ethel Patin Mestayer of Loreauville, one son, Gerard Mestayer and his wife Flo of Broussard, one daughter, Frances Ann Soileau of Broussard, one son-in-law John Reed of Lafayette, four grandchildren Benjamin Reed and his wife Kate, Matthew Reed, Andre and Anne Marie Soileau and two great grandchildren Claire and Anna Reed, brothers, Olan Mestayer and wife Anna Lou and Earl Mestayer and wife Bell all of Loreauville and sisters, Dot Graves of Harvey and Anna Lee Clark of California. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Miriam Benedict Reed; his parents, Edward and Annette Bonin Mestayer and a brother, Elmo Tuggle Mestayer. Pallbearers will be John, Ben and Matt Reed, Carl Moulis, Kyle and Aaron Mestayer. Honorary pallbearer will be Phil Moulis. David Funeral Home, 118 Main St. Loreauville, La. (337)229-8338 is in charge of arrangements.
