Joseph "Ernie" Ernest Duplechin

Joseph “Ernie” Duplechin passed away on December 24, 2020, in the presence of his wife and partner in Christ, Dolores. They celebrated their 68th anniversary four days prior.

Ernie was born in Soileau, Louisiana, on July 19, 1932. His plan to exit high school early to work in the fields was intercepted when Coach Louis Hanson came knocking on his door. Hanson would go on to convince Ernie to follow an entirely different path - one that led him to a new kind of field.

The support from Hanson and his wife, Myrtis, reached far beyond the goal post as they took Ernie in as their own son. Their relationship led to Ernie’s graduation in 1951 as a four-sport letterman from Basile High School. Following high school, Ernie followed his high school sweetheart, Dolores McClelland, to Louisiana College where he became a multi-letterman athlete once again. After marrying in 1952 and graduating in 1955, Ernie began his coaching career.

As a high school coach, he was mostly known for his district championship titles at his Alma Mater, Basile High School. His winning record helped land a position at McNeese State University, where he earned his master’s degree.

His knowledge and love for the game led to a 30-year career as a successful coach and athletic director. After retiring in 1985, he earned Hall of Fame recognition as both a player and a coach at Louisiana College and McNeese State University.

One of Ernie’s greatest achievements was the positive impact he had on the hundreds of players he had the opportunity to coach and mentor. He was known by his fellow coaches and peers for his unwavering determination and integrity.

Following retirement, Ernie joined his brother Don at Four-Star Painting, and later he worked as a consultant for his good friend Bill Dore at Global Industries. More importantly, he had the chance to devote his time to those that mattered most, his family and friends. He and Dolores traveled extensively across the United States and Canada.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Dolores McClelland Duplechin; children - Jackie (Dickie) Holmes, Steve (Debbie) Duplechin, Donna (David) Daughenbaugh, Sheila (Kurt) Rothermel, Scott (Nicole) Duplechin; grandchildren - Jeremy (Stacy) Duplechin, Kyle (Tiffany) Holmes, Allyson (Joshua) Schexnyder, Laura Holmes, Meagan (Andre’) Villejoin, Blair (Jon) Ringo, Kelly (Jason) Thompson, Jordan (Taylor) Daughenbaugh, Kate (Damian) Hubbard, Lauren (Bradley) Reiners, Courtney (Korey) King, Cade (Jen) Daughenbaugh, John (Caroline) Rothermel, Alex Duplechin, and Elizabeth Rothermel and 27 great-grandchildren;  sisters - Sheryl (Gary) Doga, Fay (Johnny) Bishoff; brother Chuck Bellon; and Louis Hanson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Widman and Cavel Duplechin, and Alice (Fruge) and Clement Sittig; grandparents Lee and Aleda Young Fruge; sister Mary Ann (Huey) Courville, brother Donald Duplechin, sister-in-law Jennifer Bellon; and Myrtis Aguillard Hanson.

Funeral services will be on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 2:30 pm at Trinity Baptist Church North Venue in Lake Charles. Reverend Steve James will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm until the time of service. Interment service will follow at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  The family is requesting visitors follow COVID regulations and please wear masks. 

Pallbearers will be Steve Duplechin, Scott Duplechin, Jeremy Duplechin, Kyle Holmes, Jordan Daughenbaugh, and John Rothermel.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Encore, Southwind, and Grace Hospice for their compassion while caring for Ernie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home at PO Box 4196, Monroe, Louisiana 71211.