Jeanerette"A Mass of Christian Burial for Marshall Paul Cranche, Sr., 84, will be celebrated on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The Reverend Ed Degeyter will serve as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 12:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. in David Funeral Home, with a rosary to be recited at 6:30 P.M. Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:00 A.M. until service time in the funeral home. Mr. Cranche passed away on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 5:22 A.M. in a New Iberia care facility. A native of Port Arthur, TX and longtime resident of Jeanerette, Mr. Cranche was a member of The Greatest Generation who served their country during World War II. He served as a turret gunner on B-17 bombers with the 8th Air Force of the Army Air Corps in the European Theater of Operations. Mr. Cranche was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He held active memberships in American Legion Post 26 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8150. Mr. Cranche retired from Chevron Oil Company, where he worked for many years to provide for his family. Survivors include his sons, Paul Cranche and wife, Oatsie of Jeanerette and Ray Cranche and wife, April of Jeanerette; daughter, Sandra Lopez and husband, Perry of Jennings; grandchildren, Todd Michael Cranche of New York, NY, Debbie McKee of Baldwinville, NY, Ray Cranche, Jr. and wife, Natalie of Charenton, Andre Cranche of Jeanerette, Ryan Rabalais and wife, Jill of Abbeville, and Claire Bourque and husband, Brett of New Iberia; and six great-grandchildren. Preceding Mr. Cranche in death were his wife of 61 years, Catherine LeBourgeois Cranche; parents, Bernard and Cora Rogers Cranche; sister, Marjorie Mayea; and great-grandson, Jack McKee. Serving as pallbearers are Paul Cranche, Ray Cranche, Sr., Ray Cranche, Jr., Todd Michael Cranche, Ryan Rabalais, and Andre Cranche. Named as honorary pallbearers are Walter Bun Clement, Walter Guyote, Carl Brown, and Darrel Bodin. David Funeral Home, 400 Provost Street, Jeanerette, 276-5151 is in charge of arrangements.
