VILLE PLATTE – Funeral services will be held for Lionel Andrew Fontenot, 76, at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Ville Platte.

Father Mitch Guidry will be celebrant of the Mass, as well as conduct funeral services. Burial will take place in Gates of Heaven Cemetery.

Lionel Andrew Fontenot passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 12, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 31, 1946, in Ville Platte, LA, to Andrew and Alma Chargois Fontenot. He was married to his loving wife, Emma West Fontenot, for 53 years. A veteran of the United States Army, Lionel served during the Vietnam War and was the recipient of a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars for bravery, and a Good Conduct Medal. Lionel worked at Cabot, and later farmed rice and beans in Whiteville before he worked as a commercial fisherman, primarily in White Lake in Vermilion Parish. Throughout his life, Lionel enjoyed spending time outdoors with family and friends and in retirement could be found duck hunting at Miller’s Lake and fishing and deer hunting at Toledo Bend.

Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife, Emma Fontenot; son, Steve Fontenot and daughter-in-law Mollie of Pineville; daughter, Karen Soileau of Faubourg; granddaughter Sydni Lemoine and her husband, Gavin of Moreauville; grandsons Jordan Soileau of Faubourg, Tristan Soileau of Faubourg, and Cy Fontenot of Pineville; great-grandchildren, Korbin Dauzat and Rylee Lemoine, both of Moreauville; and brother, Dr. Charles Fontenot of Whiteville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Alma Chargois Fontenot, and brother, James “Dino” Fontenot.

At the request of the family, visitation will be observed at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A rosary will be recited Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume Wednesday, March 15 2023, from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM.

The family would like to send a sincere thank you to Dr. Brandon Fontenot and the ICU nurses and staff at Mercy Regional Medical Center here in Ville Platte, as well as Dr. Amer Raza and the ICU nurses and staff at Opelousas General Health System. Family and friends may leave condolences at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com .

Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements