The Life of Claudius Broussard
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at a 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille in Lafayette, for Claudius Broussard, 89, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at his residence in Lafayette. Interment will be in Lafayette Memorial Park. Reverend Howard Blessing, Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Giftbearers will be Chance Poche and Chace Poche. Lectors will be Leslie Bourque and Paige Champagne. Musical Selections for the service will be "Amazing Grace", "Ave Maria", "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" and "Be Not Afraid". Survivors include his wife of forty-four years, Melba Steiner Broussard; two sons, Daniel J. Broussard and his fiancé Laura and Dennis J. Broussard; three daughters, Judy A. Broussard, Debra G. Broussard and her husband Philip and Angela D. Broussard; four step children, Robert W. Guidry and his wife Sheila, Richard D. Guidry, Brenda F. Desormeaux and her husband Donald and Dianna L. Schleicher and her husband Burdell; six grandchildren, Ross Johnson, Paige Champagne, Brent Johnson and his wife Joy, Leslie Bourque, Scott Bourque and Trista J. Broussard; ten step grandchildren, Richard Guidry, Jr., Adam Guidry, Michael Guidry, Aleisi Guidry, Samantha Guidry, Derek Desormeaux, Colby Desormeaux, Brock Desormeaux, Holly Comeaux and Steven Comeaux; four great grandchildren, Chance Poche, Chace Poche, Chae Champagne and Chayne Champagne; one step great grandchild; one brother, Burley Broussard and his wife Dorothy; one sister, Laura B. Hebert; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eloi and Onesia Hebert Broussard; one step son, Stanley J. Comeaux; one step grandchild, Christian J. Desormeaux; six sisters, Ella Bourque, Pearl Broussard, Elizabeth Duhon, Beulah Broussard, Claudia Racca and Orelia Hebert; and two brothers, Rehul Broussard and Tatule Broussard. A lifelong resident of Lafayette, Claudius Broussard was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lafayette. He was a respected Lafayette business man for over sixty years, having worked for the Louisiana State Highway Department for over nine years, owned a bar and horse race track for over thirty-five years, owned a store and rooster pit, and raced quarter horses for over fifty years. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during World War II, 156th Infantry, 31 Infantry Division, 7th Army PFC, MP, Battalion Company H. Claudius Broussard was a loving husband, father, step father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be remembered for how caring and helping he was to others, greatly missed and never forgotten by all the lives he touched. Pallbearers will be Richard Guidry, Bryan Broussard, Colby W. Desormeaux, Brent Johnson, Ross Johnson and Scott Bourque. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dennis J. Broussard, Daniel J. Broussard, Philip Broussard, Chance Poche and Chace Poche. A Rosary will be prayed Monday, June 8, 2009 at 6:30 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home. The family requests that visitation be observed on Monday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until time of service. Martin & Castille-Lafayette, 234-2311.
