Vernal Soileau, Sr.

A Funeral Service will be held for, Vernal J. Soileau, Sr., on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas. Pastor Perry Hubbs will conduct the service. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery in Lawtell.

Mr. Soileau, age 92, a resident of Opelousas, passed away on Friday, April 27, 2018, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Soileau retired as Captain of the St. Landry Parish Fire Department District 3 after 20 years of service. Following retirement, he and his wife spent 25 years traveling with Campers on Mission, helping build churches and assisting with disaster relief efforts wherever it was needed. Mr. Soileau will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his 4 sons, Sherman Soileau (Patti) of Henderson, Kermit Soileau (Pam) of Georgetown, GA, Vernal Joseph Soileau, Jr. of Lawtell, and Francis Soileau (Vickie) of Breaux Bridge; 2 daughters, Charlotte Green of Kilgore, TX and Genise Fontenot (Keith) of Opelousas; step-son, Gary Fontenot (Kim) of Slidell; 2 step-daughters, Theresa Hawkins (Paul) of Birmingham, AL and Darlene Stepp (David) of Opelousas; 2 brothers, Malcolm Soileau (Jane) and Raeburke Soileau; sister Rose Smith; grandchildren, Karie Savoy, Andre ́ Soileau, Tricia Wright, Jeremy Soileau, Kyle Soileau, Kori Whitehurst, John Powell, Janise Sides, David Fontenot, Matthew Fontenot, Nicholas Soileau, Dawn Soileau, James Soileau, Johnathon Soileau and Angela Broussard; step-grandchildren, Michael Fontenot, Molly Fontenot, Zack Fontenot, Benjamin Hawkins, Rachel Barahona, Jennifer Lege ́ and Jared Stepp; 30 great-grandchildren, 7 step- great-grandchildren; 1 step-great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by wife, Joy LaFleur Soileau of Opelousas; parents, Cenia and Earnestine Soileau of Grand Prairie; the mother of his children, Mary G. LaHaye; brothers, Landry Soileau, Andrew Soileau and Mervis Soileau; and two step-sons, Butch and Randy Fontenot.

The family requests visitation be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home in Opelousas. The funeral home will reopen on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Grace Hospice Care and their staff; especially Kim and Donna; and his sitters, Barbara Goudeau, Linda Toten and Anita Guidroz.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Campers on Mission or Baptist Children's Home of Monroe.

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

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

Service

FUNERAL SERVICE

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

St. Bridget Catholic Church Cemetery
3933 Hwy 35
Lawtell, LA  70550