Charles Eugene Pelletier

"We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 4:15. Born April 27, 1923, in Salem, Mass., he left this Earth and the home he spent a lifetime lovingly making for his cherished family on Friday, June 26, 2009, after battling a lengthy illness and a broken heart. Charlie was one of five children including his twin brother, George, who was born unto parents, Arthur E. Pelletier and Alexina St. Pierre Pelletier, of Quebec, Canada. Charlie's father was a Canadian Calvary soldier who later became a professional Canadian boxer after World War I. His mother was a Massachusetts homemaker whom he later moved to Baton Rouge in the early 1950s to run one of the family businesses, Mom&Pop's Bar on Plank Road. In the late 1950s they were the original owners of the City Café on North Boulevard. Being the product of a soldier and a business owner, many would soon see where he inherited his no nonsense attitude with an uncanny sense of wit and charm. These qualities would prove to wear well with him throughout his lifetime. Charlie graduated from high school in Salem and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940 where he was stationed in Salina, Kan., and then to Harding Field in Baton Rouge. This is where he then started his career with the military police and made his home. In 1942, he went on a blind date and met "Kay," whom he fell madly in love with. Four months later, they married and started their lives together. During the next few years, they became adoring and loving parents to Dianne, Jackie, Sandy and Chuck. In 1957, Charlie joined the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff in uniform patrol, which later became the first traffic control unit for the Sheriff's Office. In 1980, Charlie retired to enjoy life with Kay and the grandkids, traveling, fishing and camping. They met many friends from all over while camping and playing cards and dominos at the clubhouse. They also enjoyed their dance club. Charlie was known to many and all for his love of food, family and the LSU Tigers. And lastly, the neighborhood dog and friend, "Mindy." She always made his day! Charlie was preceded in death by the love of his life, Iris Katherine "Kay" Pelletier, his bride of 65 years. He was also preceded in death by his faithful walking buddy and dog, "Corey," whom he missed so dearly; "Beauty," his blind horse whom often guided him home; twin brother, George, who lost his life at the early age of 4; brother, Albert Pelletier, who was of Salem; and a sister, Cecile Corba, who was of St. Clairesville, Ohio. Charlie is survived by four loving and supportive children, Dianne Leblanc and husband Joe, Jackie Lockhart and husband Russell, Sandy Young and husband Danny, and Charles E. "Chuck" Pelletier Jr. and wife Laura. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses, Joey Leblanc, Lisa and Glynn Priest, Darrin Leblanc, Jeff and Char Young, Robyn Lockwood and David Smith, Ryan and Harmoni Pelletier, Tracy and Jay Boykin, Bill and Tasha Quirk, and Erin and Brian Schweinefus; and 18 great-grandchildren, Samantha, Rhett, Charlie, Allison, Katherine, Nicholas, Kayla, Darrian, Lauren, Kristen, Christopher Anna Belle, Grace, Gage, Brant, Brandon, Whitney and Aiden. Charlie was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary, the Louisiana Peace Officer's Association, Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Sheriff's Posse and Flotilla and a former member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post No. 38. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Monday, June 29, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 30, from 11 a.m. until religious service in the chapel at 3 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Jeff Bayhi. Entombment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Mike Law, Master Sgt. Joey Leblanc, Bill Quirk, Brian Schweinefus, David Smith, Jeff Young, Capt. Robert Stone and Sheriff Sid Gautreau. Honorary pallbearers are Chief Warrant Officer Glynn Priest, Sgt. Charles Ryan Pelletier and Darrin Leblanc. Many special thanks to Dr. J. Duemite, Dr. W. Erwin, Dr. B. Gremillion and to Clarity Hospice and nurses Barry Scannell and Michelle Jewell. Thanks also to all of the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center nurses who had befriended him during his many stays and to all who tried to make him more comfortable in his final time. Our family is forever grateful. PaPa Charlie, the memories we were blessed to have shared with you will be passed on through our future generations and we are honored for the time God allowed us to borrow you. May you go now in peace and finally rest with your "Katherine." In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Diabetes Associationof Louisiana or the American Heart Associationin his honor.