Emile Leblanc

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Emile Joseph LeBlanc will be celebrated on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 11 am at St. Charles Catholic Church in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. The body will be available for viewing at the Sibille Funeral Home in Grand Coteau on Thursday, January 12, 2012, from 8 am until 10:30 am. He will be buried in the church graveyard.

Emile was born Jan. 1, 1922 in Houma, La. to Bernice Pye LeBlanc and George LeBlanc and was the eldest of 3 children. He was raised in Lafayette, attended Cathedral High and excelled in athletics football, basketball, track, and boxing. He married the former Jane Alice Guidry in 1943.

He volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps and was trained as an aviator and was tabbed as outstanding gunner. He was assigned to the Pacific Theater as an aerial gunner on the B25 bombers and made numerous bombing runs over Japanese bases in the Aleutian Islands. He was very proud of his service to his country and participated in the Honor Air program which provided for WWII veterans to travel to Washington, DC and visit the various memorials there.

He attended S.L.I. now U.L.L. for engineering and then transferred to the University of Houston and received a degree in Diesel Engineering. He joined Continental Oil Co. Conoco in 1951, and was employed for 35 years as a Product Engineer. After retirement, he and Jane decided to build their home in Sunset, where he resided until his death two days prior to his 90th birthday.

After they settled in Sunset, Emile and Jane quickly got involved in local activities. Some with church activities, but largely involved with the establishment of a local librarythe first public library for the St. Landry Parish residents. They obtained a building, built shelving, and secured donated books. Today, the library is located in central Sunset in an old high school building, funded with a property tax voted in by St. Landry Parish homeowners as well as grants, and donated computers and Internet service by the Bill Gates foundation.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Guidry LeBlanc of Sunset daughters, Linda Pagnac of Houston, TX and Carole Barron of Ft. Worth, TX and son, Jerome LeBlanc of Baton Rouge. Also, he is survived by his granddaughter, Camille LeBlanc and greatgrandson, Eli Melancon, both of Lafayette and sister, Beverly Guidry of Prairieville, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George J. LeBlanc and Bernice Pye LeBlanc soninlaw, Eugene Pagnac and greatgrandchild, Nathan LeBlanc.

Those who knew Emile would tell you that he was the epitome of a gentleman, husband, father, and neighbor. Young children were attracted to him because of his gentleness and sense of humor. These acquaintances turned into lifelong relationships.

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

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
1473 I-49 South Service Road
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Thursday, January 12, 2012
8 10:30 a.m.

Service

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Charles Catholic Church
174 Church Street
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Thursday, January 12, 2012
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

St. Charles Cemetery
174 Church Street
Grand Coteau, LA  70541