Merrell Lane Burleigh

PORT BARRE- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Merrell Lane Burleigh on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Port Barre, La. Father Clint Trahan will be celebrating the Mass. Readers will be Charlotte Taylor and Carolyn Cropper. Gift bearers will be Jason Caswell and Lola Hargett. Rite of committal will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in the mausoleum.

Merrell adored music (especially the Boogie Kings and Motown) and to dance, and never hesitated to show off his moves to anyone, whether it was to a cashier in a store, or a stranger in a doctor’s office waiting room.

He loved to share that he played five sports in school, and his love for sports never left him. In turn he was truly passionate about anything to do with his LSU Tigers and his New Orleans Saints. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, and took pride in bringing home game to feed his family.

Merrell was so proud of having served his country as a Soldier in the U.S. Army. He often wore his Veteran’s cap and swelled with pride and got a sparkle in his eye when someone thanked him for his service.

Merrell is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Melançon Burleigh; sister-in-law, Del Melançon Caswell (and family); nieces, Laurie Quebedeaux, Michelle Nezat; and god-children, Sierra and Jayde Doucet, Matthew Nezat.

Merrell is preceded in death by his son, Travis Lane Burleigh; parents, John Burleigh and Olive Goudeau Burleigh; sister, Linda Burleigh Joubert; in-laws, Arthur and Maria “Cajin” Melançon; sister-in-law, Yvonne Melançon; and nephew, Eddie Bruner.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Sibille Funeral Home of Port Barre, La. A rosary will be recited on Sunday at 6:00 PM by Mike and Betty Wheaton. Visitation will resume on Monday from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM in the funeral home. 

Pallbearers will be Ray Hebert, Patrick Rodriguez, Matthew Nezat, Michelle Nezat, Laurie Quebedeaux, and Sierra Doucet. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Taylor and Donny Nezat.

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.