Joseph Peter Habetz

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Loreauville"A Memorial Mass with military honors for Mr. Joseph P. Habetz, 86, of Loreauville will be celebrated on Saturday, July 29, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Reverend Thomas Habetz and Reverend Mario Romero will serve as concelebrants. Private interment will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2006 from 8:00 A.M. until service time in David Funeral Home.

Mr. Habetz passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 9:40 A.M. in a New Iberia hospital.

A native of Roberts Cove and longtime resident of Loreauville, Mr. Habetz served his country during World War II as a Staff Sargeant of the 17th Airborne Division-Field Artillery. Although afraid of heights, he was a paratrooper with 13 combat jumps under his belt. Mr. Habetz fought in Italy, Southern France, in the D-Day invasion, and in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. As the war ended he served as an interpreter in Berlin. Upon his return from Europe, Mr. Habetz settled in Loreauville, farming rice, beans, and cattle. He was a member of Woodmen of the World, a charter member of Loreauville Knights of Columbus Council 4676, and a charter member of St. Leos Holy Name Society. Upon his retirement, Mr. Habetz enjoyed many years of woodworking, playing cards with friends, and occasional trips to the casino.

Survivors include a daughter, Flavia Habetz Eldridge and husband, Glenn of Jeanerette; sons, Michael Habetz and wife, Cindy of Lafayette, Bruno Habetz and wife, Linda of Loreauville, and Tedmund Habetz and wife, Mary Kay of Loreauville; grandchildren, Jeff, Scott, Steve, Laura, B.J., Taylor, Morgan, and Bradford Habetz, Gregg, Scott, Elizabeth, and Joseph Eldridge, Beneth Arceneaux, and Ellen DeValcourt; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Clara Habetz of Rayne, Cecelia Zaunbrecher of Crowley, Bernardine Leonards of Basile, Bertha Owen of Saltillo, Mexico, and Sister Marie Habetz of San Antonio, TX; and a brother, Bill Habetz of Ragley.

Preceding Mr. Habetz in death are his wife, Rita Ohlenforst Habetz; an infant daughter, Joline Rita Habetz; parents, Joseph Wilhelm Habetz and Franziska Theunissen Habetz; a sister, Hilda Habetz; and brothers, Rev. Msgr. Daniel Habetz, Pirmin Habetz, Martin Habetz, and Anton Habetz.

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Sisters of Mount Carmel, Carmelite Spirituality Center, P.O. Box 130, Lacombe, LA 70445.

David Funeral Home of Loreauville is in charge of arrangements.