L’Observateur / June 23, 1999

BLANCHARD DESTREHANLouis Merton “Mert” Blanchard, 40, a native of Morgan City and a resident of Destrehan for eight years, died June 19. He was thehusband of Leslye Collins Blanchard and father of Amy, Adam, Brandon and Justin Blanchard.

He was also the son of Margie Rasmussen Blanchard Morgan and the late Thomas “Doc” Blanchard and step-son of Richard Morgan, and the brother of Francine Verrett.

He was a board member of the St. Charles Rotary Club.Services are June 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,Destrehan, with interment at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Carriere, Miss. Visitation is today from 6 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow starting at 8 a.m.BRANCH NEW ORLEANSBessie Gibson Branch, 98, a native of Convent and a resident of New Orleans for many years, died June 18. She was the wife ofthe late Charlie Branch and mother of Sarah B. Sorrell.She was also the daughter of the late Dan and Hannah Gibson.

She is also survived by five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held June 22 at Fifth African Baptist Church, New Orleans, with interment at Providence Memorial Park.

LABAT RESERVEHilda V. Labat, 80, a native and resident of Reserve, died June20. She was the wife of the late Dasise Labat Jr. and mother of Debra andJ.D. Labat.She was also the sister of Thelma Bourg, Beatrice Lasseigne, Edna Mae Montzand the late Francis Vicknair.

Services are today at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, Reserve, withinterment at the church cemetery. Visitation starts at 8 a.m.LOCHBRUNNER NEW ORLEANSGertrude Lambert Lochbrunner, 73, a native of Garyville and a resident of New Orleans for 70 years, died June 17. She was the wifeof the late Erwin Lochbrunner and mother of Helen McGawley, Erwin Jr. andEric Lochbrunner Sr.

She is also survived by one grandchild.

Services were held June 21 in the chapel of Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, New Orleans, with interment at St. Roch Cemetery No. 2.MEGGS ST. JAMESSpencer Tracy “Frog” Meggs, 48, a native and resident of St.James, died June 13. He was the husband of Carol Mitchell Meggs andfather of Rashondra and Sommer Meggs.

He was also the son of Sidney Sr. and Dorothy Wells Meggs and brother ofKathy Kelson, Carolyn and Sidney Meggs Jr. and the late Brenda Meggs.He is also survived by one grandchild.

Services were held June 19 at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, St. James, with interment at Mt. Calvary Baptist Cemetery, St. James.ST. PIERRE NORCOMaurice J. St. Pierre Jr., 85, a native of Lucy and a resident of Norco since 1942, died June 17. He was the husband of Mary L. St. Pierreand father of Rita Levy and Maurice III, Anthony, Thomas and Ray St. Pierre.

He was also the son of the late Maurice Sr. and Elodie B. St. Pierre andbrother of Leopold, John, Westly and George St. Pierre. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchildren.

He was a retired lab technician for Shell Oil Company.

Services were held June 21 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Norco, with interment at St. Charles Borromeo Mausoleum, Destrehan.

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