Melvin Kidder

OpelousasA Mass of Christian Burial for Melvin M. Kidder will be on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prairie Ronde. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery next door.
At ninety years of age, Melvin M. Kidder was a native of the Arnaudville area and a resident of Prairie Rhonde for the past 63 years. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He served several local organizations which included being a Fourth Degree Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1173, Lifetime Member of the American Legion, and he was also a member of the VFW Post 2438. In 2010 he visited the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. with the Louisiana Honor Air Corp Group of Veterans. In accordance with his devout Christianity, he served as Eucharistic Minister for St. Peters Catholic Church in Grand Prairie, and also served on the Church Council. For several years he attended the Cursillo in Prairie Ronde and the Catholic Retreat in Grand Coteau.
Until his retirement in 1995, Melvin made his living working as a farmer. In 1974, he received the honor of being named St. Landry Parish Farmer of the Year by the Rotary Club. He also worked for the St. Landry Parish School Board for 26 years. In past years, he served as a board member for the following organizations: Farm Bureau, St. Landry Parish Cattlemens Association, FHA and Yambilee. In 1975, Melvin was appointed to the Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertising and Development Commission by former governor Edwin Edwards. He served as Yambilee President for the 19801981 term, and was honored as Yambilee King in 1983 and Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival King in 1991.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Grace Faul Kidder his father and mother Octave and Laticia Kidder four brothers Thadeus, Douglas, Paul and Joseph Octave, Jr. and one son Gerald F. Kidder.
Melvin is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Lee Anna Fontenot Kidder sons John Kidder and his companion Patricia Couvillion, Ronald Kidder and his companion Janie, Dr. Glenn Kidder and his wife Stacey, and daughter Cheryl Hedrick and her husband Dr. Darrell Hedrick. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren Heidi Veron, Nicholas Kidder, Alexander Kidder, Chad Kidder, Katie Crosbie, Dr. Dustin Kidder, Austin Kidder, Dr. Kevin Kidder, and MeLynn Hedrick. He had 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Lee Annas children, Clyde Fontenot and his wife Kay, Dianne Savoy, Brenda Joubert and her husband Dalton, Mona Mcrae and her husband Kevin LeeAnnas four grandchildren Blake Fontenot, Danielle Prater, Erin and Kelly Mcrae. Lee Anna also has 7 great grandchildren.
Special recognition is given to Melvins longtime friend and caregiver Murphy, and also his other caregivers Sandra and Vance who cared for him with vigilance and compassion.
Visiting hours will be observed in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas on Friday, May 9, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00. A rosary service will be held at 7:00p.m. Visiting service will reopen on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. till 10:00 a.m.
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
Friday, May 9, 2014
6pm9pmSat8:3010am

Service

Christian Mass

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Hwy 104
Prairie Ronde, LA  70570
Saturday, May 10, 2014
10:30 am

Rosary

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, May 9, 2014
7 pm

Cemetery

Sacred Heart CemeteryHa
Highway 104
Prairie Ronde, LA  70550