Verlyn "Monkey" Benoit

PORT BARRE- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Verlyn “Monkey” Benoit on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Port Barre. Fr. Clint Trahan will celebrate the Mass. Rite of Committal will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Gift Bearers will be Kelsey Lavergne and Malanie Darby, Readers for the Mass will be Reesa Bazar and Michon Delahoussaye.

Verlyn “Monkey” Benoit, a native of Port Barre, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his residence on October 3, 2026, surrounded by his loved one. He was born on June 23, 1942, and lived a life marked by steady work, service, and the quiet satisfactions of making and growing with his own hands.

Verlyn served in the United States Army, a chapter of his life that reflected duty and commitment. He later built his working life in the oilfield, beginning as a floor hand and earning his way up to motor man through determination and hard work. He also spent time farming with Mr. Roy Stagg, another part of a life closely tied to labor, the land, and the values of perseverance and dependability.

Outside of work, he found joy in simple and meaningful pursuits. He loved gardening and had a gift for it, able to grow almost anything from next to nothing. He also enjoyed woodworking, shaping useful and lasting things with patience and care. These interests spoke to the kind of man he was—resourceful, practical, and deeply connected to the work of his hands.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Hazal Credeur Benoit of Port Barre; daughters, Melodie Benoit Meche (Daniel) of Port Barre, and Kayla Benoit Fromenthal (Charles) of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Reesa Meche Bazar (Corey), Michon Meche Delahoussaye (Michael), Rico Meche, Kelsey Landry Lavergne (Hal Lavergne, Jr.), Sgt. Bryce Fromenthal, and Cpt. Drake Fromenthal; and nine great-grandchildren.

Verlyn is preceded in death by his parents, Dalton and Evelyn Benoit; daughter, Shelly Benoit; sister, Janice “Jan” Burghdoff (Jack); brother, Virgil “Bo” Benoit; great-granddaughter, Anniston Bazar; niece, Nicole “Nikki” Burghdoff Colfelt (Mitch).

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home in Port Barre; the rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. by Mrs. Boo Boo Soileau and Renee Dunbar. Visitation will resume on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Verlyn “Monkey” Benoit will be remembered with affection by those who knew and loved him, and his memory will remain rooted in the life he built, the work he did, and the things he nurtured along the way. May he rest in peace.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Port Barre.