Jeff Benhard

PALMETTO- A Private Funeral Service was held for Jeff H. Benhard at the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas. A Private Burial followed at First United Methodist Cemetery in Palmetto.

Jeff H. Benhard, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He will be dearly missed by family, friends, and business associates. The only child of Verona Robertson Benhard and Johannessen Hals Benhard, Jeff was born in Palmetto, LA on March 10, 1929. He graduated from Palmetto High School and attended LSU. Jeff took over management of the family businesses interest in 1949 where he served as president and CEO of Peoples Moss Gin Company, Benhard Grain, INC., Palmetto Mercantile Company and Palmetto Angus Farm. Over the years, he served on numerous corporate boards and commissions including the Louisiana Angus Association, Pan American Life Insurance Company and Washington State Bank. Jeff was a loyal LSU supporter having served as the president of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors. He was a benefactor of the Tiger Athlete Foundation and the LSU Alumni Association.

Jeff is survived by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Benhard of The Plains, Virginia and Palmetto, LA; sons, J. Hals Benhard and wife, Rebecca Wallace of Palmetto, LA, Gregory P. Benhard and wife, Jane Noone of Palmetto, LA; grandchildren, Brittany Benhard Zundel and husband, Bill of Mobile, AL, Leigh Benhard Branyon and husband, Chip of Baton Rouge, LA, Jeff H. Benhard II and wife, Chapple of Sunset, LA, Seth A. Benhard and wife, Nellie Boone of Chevy Chase, MD, Elizabeth Shapiro and husband, Todd Shapiro of New York, NY; great-grandchildren, Powell Zundel and Jane Zundel of Mobile, AL, Pearce Miley and Wills Miley of Baton Rouge, LA, Virginia Benhard, Grayson Benhard and Tripp Benhard of Sunset, LA, Hals Benhard and Kate Benhard of Chevy Chase, MD.

Jeff was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Virginia Pearce Benhard; and parents, Johannessen Hals Benhard and Verona Robertson Benhard.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors and caregivers that were vital in caring for Mr. Jeff. They would first like to thank his caregivers and family friends, Willie Levier and Thelma Nevills; Dr. Michael Basile; the staff of LA Healthcare Group, especially Sheri Cormier; and the caregivers of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Nadine Mayfield, Jonifer Sanders, Tassa Charles, Kei Kei Dixon and Deshawn Clark.

The family invites friends to make donations in memory of Mr. Benhard to the charity of their choice.

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