Local Obituaries
for Families in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Mary Johnson
Sep 19, 2024
Mary Ann Gertson Johnson was born on Mar 17,1938 to Fred Chris Gertson and Annie Belle Wills in Wharton, Texas. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence Jackson Johnson, and her parents, Fred Chris Gertson and Annie Belle Wills Gertson Joehlin. She was the 6th of their 8 children. She is also preceded in death by all...
Margurite "Peggy" Holston
Sep 19, 2024
Margurite “Peggy” Holston, 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Born in Leesville, LA, to Maudie Williams and Clyde Lenton Hennigan, she moved to Lake Charles at the age of 15 in 1943 and later graduated from Vincent Business School.
In 1973, Peggy founded Lifecare Emergency Medical Services, the first private ambulance service in the parish, and played a...
Irene Howse
Sep 19, 2024
Irene Ina Howse, 71, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Geoffrey Howse; parents, Ilmari Santti and Jean Munoz, her siblings, Robert Santti, Karen Santti, Jerry Munoz, and David Kindrot. Those left to cherish her memory are her siblings Sherry Scott (Mike Scott), Joey Munoz (Peggy Munoz)...
Johnny Billups
Sep 19, 2024
Johnny Billups, 75, passed away on September 19, 2024. Born on August 4, 1949, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Johnny was raised in Lake Charles and graduated from LaGrange High School in 1968. He attended McNeese State University before transferring to the University of Houston. While in Houston, Johnny met the love of his life, Carolyn, and they were later married....
John McCoy
Sep 19, 2024
John Robert McCoy, 83, of Sulphur, LA passed away on September 19, 2024, in a local care facility. John was born on October 15, 1940, to David and Alma McCoy in Whistler, AL. John worked as a pipefitter in the construction industry for Olin and Turner Industries as a lifelong career. He was very active in his working years and...
Craig M. Boudreaux
Sep 16, 2024
Craig M. Boudreaux, known as "Boudreaux," passed away in his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on September 16, 2024, at the age of 67. Born on February 19, 1957, in Lake Charles, Craig was a lifelong resident who made a lasting mark on his community through his dedication, humor, and love.
Craig had three great loves in his life: NASCAR, his...
Gaynelle "Gay" Gehrig
Sep 16, 2024
Gaynelle Sue Gehrig was born to Sam and Edna Lisotta of Lake Charles on October 21st, 1957. Gay was a graduate of LaGrange High School. After graduation she worked as a secretary, executive assistant, and office manager. Gay was fun loving and a nurturer. She had two daughters, three stepdaughters, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was dedicated to...
Beverly Marie Mesh
Sep 15, 2024
Beverly Marie Mesh, 87, was born in New Orleans, LA to Wilbur and Vina Laumann. She passed away on September 15, 2024, surrounded by family at her daughter’s home in Gulfport, MS.
Although she was born in New Orleans, Beverly lived her entire life in Lake Charles, LA. She graduated from Saint Charles Academy then married Richard Mesh who graduated from...
Freida L. Waller
Sep 15, 2024
Freida L. Waller, 89, of Lake Charles, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024, at her residence with members of her loving family by her side. She was born on August 31, 1935, in Worms, Germany to Edward and Elizabeth Hempel. Freida met the love of her life, Charles E. Waller, and wed him in 1957 while he was stationed in...
Bernetta Anna Summers
Sep 14, 2024
Bernetta Anna Summers, 85, a resident of Sulphur, LA, passed from this life on September 14, 2024, while under hospice care. She was born on April 21, 1939 in Jennings, LA to Ben and Anna Clement Miller.
Bernetta was a loving mother, wife grandmother and great grandmother.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her husband of 65 years, Dreux Summers, Sr.;...
Ella Ruth Giaimis
Sep 14, 2024
Mrs. Ella Ruth Giaimis, 89, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, surrounded by loving family. She was born on May 19, 1935, in Eunice, LA to Esther Smith and Willis Thibodeaux.
Throughout her life, Ella and her husband embarked on various entrepreneurial ventures, including opening a gas station and wrecker service. Their entrepreneurial spirit also led them to establish the...
Donald Lee Ballance, Sr.
Sep 14, 2024
It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Lee Ballance, Sr. announces his passing on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the age of 78.
Donald L. Ballance, Sr., a man whose presence filled the lives of so many with love, laughter, and joy was born on January 7, 1946, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Basil L. Ballance and Lucille...
Virginia Armentor Brown
Sep 14, 2024
Virginia Armentor Brown, 88, of Lake Charles passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024 in a local care facility.
Mrs. Brown was born on April 2, 1936 in Kinder and was raised and lived all of her life in Lake Charles. She was a graduate of Lake Charles High School where she was a Kiltie. Mrs. Brown was a lifelong member...
Germaine Phillips Miller
Sep 13, 2024
Germaine Miller, age 91 years, died late in the afternoon of September 13, 2024, in the comfort of her home in Houston, with family and friends who loved her by her side.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie T. Phillips and Leta Fontenot Phillips, and by her beloved husband of 55 years, E. M. (Marty) Miller.
Germaine is survived...
Frances Helmer
Sep 13, 2024
Frances Elaine Helmer, 90, of Sulphur passed away on September 13th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Frances was born on June 30th, 1934, in Roberts Cove, Louisiana to Joseph and Emilia Murrell. She enjoyed many things in life and one of the most cherished was her family and spending time with her husband in the outdoors. Frances enjoyed cooking...
Jacqueline Phillips
Sep 12, 2024
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Jacqueline (Jackie) Lavergne Phillips of Jeffersonville, Georgia, who peacefully departed from this world on September 12, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. Born on December 26, 1951, in Lake Charles, LA, Jackie was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and a dear friend to many.
During her life, Jackie enriched the...
Joyce Coleman
Sep 12, 2024
Joyce Coleman passed away on September 12, 2024, in the comfort of her home. Cremation has been entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home of Sulphur.
Paul Nicholas Papania
Sep 12, 2024
Paul Nicholas Papania, 77, of Lake Charles passed away at 1:33 PM on Thursday, September 12, 2024 in his residence.
Born and raised in our community, Paul was a proud graduate of Landry high School, where he showcased his athletic talents by playing both baseball and basketball. After high school, he furthered his education at McNeese State University.
Paul’s first job was...
