Ruth Mertzweiller Madison

Ruth Madison, 91, of Lake Charles, LA, died at 2:59 AM on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 in a local hospital. Mrs. Madison was born in New Orleans, LA on November 17, 1922 to Bernard J. Mertzweiller, Sr. and Vivian Sarpy Mertzweiller. She has lived in Lake Charles since 1939, met and married Harold L. Madison, Sr., now deceased, and they were married for sixty-six years. She was employed at United Gas Corp., Muller's Department Store, and her last employment was for Dr. Max M. Miller for twenty-seven years. She was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church for over seventy years. Mrs. Madison loved her cats and will always be remembered for her compassionate, nonjudgmental, friendly personality. Her children and grandchildren always held a special place in her heart; she will be missed dearly. Mrs. Madison is survived by her children, Harold "Sonny" Madison, Jr. of Lake Charles, LA, Robert "Joe" Madison and wife Dianna Marie Madison of Houston, TX, and Vivian Madison Pratt and husband Wyatt Barton Pratt of Hopewell, NJ; grandchildren, Laura Vivian Pratt and Chase Madison Pratt, of Hopewell, NJ; sister, Genevieve LeJeune of Lake Charles; sister-in-law, Mrs. Bobby Whaley and husband Murray P. Whaley; brothers-in-law, James P. Madison and John P. Madison; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Bernard J. Mertzweiller, Jr. Her funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverends Jeff Starkovich and Ed Lemke will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service. The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Dr. Peter Karam, Dr. Craig Broussard, the seventh floor staff at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and Resthaven Rehabilitation Center, and to all of her friends and caregivers.