With tearful eyes, we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating. Hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us... He only takes the best. - unknown.
Harold Ignatius Bahlinger Sr. passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on June 26, 1934. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1953 and Spring Hill College in 1957. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 67 years, Claire Wilson Bahlinger, daughters: Allyson (Gary) Mayeux, MD, Melinda (Frank) Antonicci, and Anne Scott (Jacques) Pourciau; grandchildren: Gary Paul (Andrea) Mayeux, Jr., MD, Michael (Emily) Mayeux, Natalie (Tim Strobel) Mayeux, Charlie (Whitley) Mayeux, Noah and Elijah Bahlinger, and Jacob (Hannah) and Mary Scott Pourciau; great grandchildren: Jolie, Ella Rouge, Aria, Lukas Ignatius Mayeux, Noah Strobel, and Stella Mayeux-Strobel. He is further survived by his siblings, Marion and Barbara Bahlinger and numerous nieces and nephews. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, J. Andrew Bahlinger, Jr and Mathilda Fabacher Bahlinger, siblings: Julius, Vernon, Father Donald Bahlinger, SJ, Charles, Reginald, Sister Kathleen Bahlinger, CSJ, and son, Harold Bahlinger, Jr. In 1957, after his six-month active duty in the U.S. Army, he began his professional career at the family business, Kornmeyer's Furniture Company, where he worked until his retirement in 2007. Harold continued in the active reserve for 12 years and was promoted to Captain. He was a past president of the Sales and Marketing Club of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Furniture Dealers' Association, Louisiana Furniture Dealers, and Manresa. He served on many boards throughout his life: Manresa, Baton Rouge Serra Club, Catholic Presbyterian Apartment Complex, Spring Hill College National Alumni, Baton Rouge Diocese Endowment, OLOL Elderly Housing, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers, Baton Rouge Association of Retarded Citizens, Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau, and Consumer Credit Counseling Services. Harold was a member of the Baton Rouge Assembly. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre by Pope John Paul II and was later promoted to Knight Commander with Star. Special thanks to Dr. Steve Gremillion, Dr. Jared Braud, the LSU ER Resident Team and ICU Team (especially Angela and Jasmine) at Baton Rouge General Hospital for your patience, love, and care given to our Harold, Dad, Poppa. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Friday, December 1, 2023 from 4-9 PM with rosary led by men of Manresa at 6 PM visitation will continue Saturday, December 2, 2023 at St. Agnes Catholic Church from 10:00 AM until the Mass of Christian burial at 11 AM. Pallbearers will be: Gary Mayeux, Sr., Frank Antonicci, Gary Paul Mayeux, Jr., Michael Mayeux, Charlie Mayeux, Jacob Pourciau, Noah Bahlinger, and Elijah Bahlinger. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Harold's name to Catholic High School, Manresa House of Retreats, Spring Hill College, St. Agnes Catholic Church, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, the Missionaries of Charity, or a charity of your choice.
