Local Obituaries
for Families in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Donna Marie Kestel
Jul 5, 2025
On July 5, 2025, Donna Marie Kestel, beloved Mom and YaYa, tap danced her way into Heaven. Her body could no longer keep up with her vivacious spirit here on Earth, and she passed peacefully surrounded by family as she transitioned home to the Lord.
Donna was an only child, born in Louisville, KY and raised in Houston, TX by Prather...
Jeanette Aucoin
Jul 4, 2025
Jeanette Aucoin, 78, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025.
Born on June 22, 1947, Jeanette was the embodiment of generosity, kindness, and a servant's heart. Cooking was her love language. Whether times were abundant or lean, her table was always full, and no one ever left her home hungry. She delighted in sharing her gift of...
Joseph Pelafigue
Jul 3, 2025
Joseph C. “Joe” Pelafigue, 78, of Lake Charles, passed away on July 3, 2025 at a Lake Charles Care Facility.
Joe was a native of New Orleans, and moved to Lake Charles in 1958. A graduate of LaGrange Senior High School, he was a superb track runner, having ran the first 880 in under 2 minutes, a record that was held...
Gloria Sue Pousson Guillotte
Jul 3, 2025
Gloria Sue Pousson Guillotte, 72, a lifelong resident of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Gloria was a devoted wife, mother, "Glo Glo," sister, and friend. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family-especially her beloved children and grandchildren. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant with Entergy,...
Nelda M. Cookson
Jul 3, 2025
Nelda M. Cookson, born on November 27, 1934, in Iowa, passed away peacefully at a local hospital on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 90. She was the beloved daughter of the late Alfred and Libby (DeRouen) Ardoin. A devoted homemaker, Nelda took great pride in caring for her family. She found joy in crocheting and working on...
Wilbert "Yopie" Corbello
Jul 3, 2025
Wilbert “Yopie” Corbello, age 70, of Jennings, Louisiana, passed away on July 3, 2025. Born on November 11, 1954, he was the beloved son of the late Isaac and Ethel Mae (Fuselier) Corbello. Affectionately known as “Yopie,” he brought joy and laughter wherever he went. He worked as a chemical courier and was known for his fun-loving spirit, quick wit,...
Dolores Ann Guidry
Jul 2, 2025
Dolores Ann Miller Guidry, 91, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in the comfort of her home.
Mrs. Guidry was born in Church Point, LA, raised and educated in Jennings and lived most of her life in Lake Charles. She worked many of her younger years as a shampoo and set girl at Jean’s and Adeline’s Beauty Parlor’s....
Warren J. (Jimmie) Leblanc, Sr.
Jul 2, 2025
Warren J. (Jimmie) LeBlanc Sr. Born in Welsh on November 14, 1934, son of the late Andrew and Ada Hardy LeBlanc, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at the age of ninety, surrounded by his loving family. Jimmie was a graduate of 1954 Class in Lacassine, LA. He served his country honorably in the Louisiana National Guard from 1953-1959. He...
Carolyn R. Leblanc
Jul 2, 2025
Carolyn R. LeBlanc, 85, of Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on November 30, 1939, in Iowa, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Emedies and Eva Lognion Mallett. A devoted housewife, she found great joy in caring for her family. Carolyn loved gardening, reading, and—most of all—spending cherished...
Larry Mitchell
Jul 1, 2025
Larry Vernon Mitchell, age 77, of Sulphur, La. passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2025. He was born September 30, 1947 in Waco, Texas to the late Charles and Dorothy Mitchell.
After graduating from Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas, he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana on a full ride scholarship where he lettered in football. He was a defensive...
Paul Curtis Zane
Jul 1, 2025
Paul Curtis Zane, 63, of Sulphur, LA passed away on July 1, 2025, after a long battle of illnesses since 2009.
Paul was born on March 5, 1962, in Wheeling, West Virginia to Paul and Debra Burkhart Zane. He loved the great outdoors fishing, hunting, and loved animals. Paul was very proud of his family lineage that dates back to a...
Rosalie Sayge Elise Hartstine
Jun 30, 2025
Rosalie Sayge Elise Hartstine, 1, of Lake Charles, LA was born on March 20, 2024, and passed away on June 30, 2025.
Rosalie was a bright, loving, and vibrant little girl, with the biggest smile and most beautiful eyes that were sure to light up any room. Rosalie loved being around her family and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She also enjoyed...
Frances Marion Waters Bolen
Jun 30, 2025
Feb 6, 1936- June 30, 2025
Wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, & dear friend.
Frances always joked about her first real job, she told everyone she was a call girl. She actually worked the switch board for the telephone company before marrying her love, Garnet “Bo” Bolen. Frances loved children. After hers were all grown or in school she...
Leore "Butch" Kowarsch
Jun 30, 2025
Leore “Butch” Kowarsch passed away after a brief battle with cancer on June 30, 2025, surrounded by family. He was 71 years old. He was born on August 3, 1953 to Joseph Albert Kowarsch and Livina Fontenot Kowarsch in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Butch was a proud electrician and Army National Guard Veteran, graduating from LaGrange High School, Class of ’73. He...
Joseph Samuel Martin
Jun 28, 2025
Joseph Samuel Martin, 78, passed away on June 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on December 20, 1946, to Samuel Martin and Ezora Richard, Joseph proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1970 during the Vietnam War, stationed in Korea.
After his military service, Joseph worked at Citgo Refinery and served as a Supervisor during his...
Tracy "Gabby' Haymon
Jun 28, 2025
Tracy Peavy Haymon, 58, passed away in Carlyss, Louisiana. She was born on May 8 in Sumter, South Carolina. She grew up in a close-knit family with four sisters. Her early years were spent moving often due to her father's construction work, but her mother kept the family grounded with love and care. Tracy had a magnetic personality and a...
Eugene Fontenot
Jun 28, 2025
Eugene “Gene” Fontenot passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, in the comfort of his home with his family at his side at the age of 91 3/4. Gene was born on August 11, 1933, in Kinder (Edna), Louisiana, to Martin K. and Lillian Fontenot. He lived a life full of passion, purpose, and unwavering devotion to his family, his...
Anthony "AJ" Nocilla
Jun 28, 2025
Anthony John “AJ” Nocilla, 78, of Sulphur, passed away on June 28, 2025, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 26, 1947, in Lake Charles, LA, to Frank, Sr. and Frances Nocilla. AJ was a 1965 graduate of Lake Charles High and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McNeese State University....
Stanton Sisk
Jun 28, 2025
Stanton Sisk, 69, of Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Born on October 16, 1955, he was the son of the late Jack and Katherine Sisk. A graduate of Palos Verdes High School, Stanton went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University. He worked as a self-employed contractor and was affiliated with the Assemblies of...
George Williams
Jun 27, 2025
It is with profound sadness we announce the death of George E. Williams. His family knew him as “Bud,” professionally he was known as Junior Williams. Born in Hodge, LA on May 22, 1930, he was the beloved son of Ruben Daniel Williams and Ophelia Ferguson Williams.
His family moved to Lake Charles in 1944, where he graduated from LaGrange High...
