Vira Ardie Laughlin

ST. MARTINVILLE – Funeral Services will be conducted for Mr. V. A. “Vira” Laughlin, age 88, at 1:00 pm Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Evangeline Funeral Home. Pastor Wallace Primeaux of Esther Baptist Church and Pastor Jessie Charpentier of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church will serve as the celebrants. Interment will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery with military honors by St. Martinville VFW/ American Legion Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 8:00 pm on Tuesday with Masonic services conducted by members of the Hugh M. Daspit Lodge # 301 at 6:00 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Wednesday until service time at 1:00 pm.

A native of Church Point and resident of St. Martinville, Mr. Laughlin passed away at 5:47 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at St. Martinville Nursing Home.

Mr. Laughlin was a proud WWII Veteran of the US Navy, who volunteered to serve his country and served honorably in the South Pacific. He was a rice farmer for many years and served on the St. Martin Parish Clerk of Court Jury Commissioner, since 1974, until his passing. He was an active member of the Hugh M. Daspit Masonic Lodge #301 in St. Martinville, where he held a 32nd Degree, Past Master, oldest living past master of the lodge, Past District Deputy Grand Master, 50 year Plus member and served as Secretary for many years. He was also a very active member of the Shriners where he was very instrumental in fund raising events benefiting under privileged children.

He had an exceptional personality and was full of life, he brought joy and laughter wherever he went and will be dearly missed.

Mr. Laughlin is survived by his children, Virginia L. Schlueter and husband Carl Grant of New Orleans; Morris E. Laughlin and wife Deanne and Margaret L. Poirier all of St. Martinville; his step children, Fred Foti, Jr. and wife Sara and Wayne Foti all of St. Martinville; Brenda F. Theriot and husband Terry of Baton Rouge and Kathleen “Tina” F. Landry and husband John of Breaux Bridge; five grandchildren, Jimmy Poirier, Stasi P. Cordova, Jacques Poirier, Lottie L. Brock and Erica L. Rase; eleven step grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.

He is also survived by one brother, Bill Laughlin of Eunice and two sisters, Versie L. Foti and Permelia “Sis” Laughlin both of Lafayette.

He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Laughlin, mother, Dovie Johnson Laughlin and step mother, Maggie Johnson Laughlin; his first wife, Virginia Rose Foti Laughlin; second wife, Josephine Signorelli Foti Laughlin and two sisters, Emma Jean L. Hammon and Martha L. Vilcan.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Poirier, Jacques Poirier, Freddie Foti, Jr., Terry Theriot, Bryan Hammon, Wayne Vilcan and Jaime Miguel Cordova.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Hugh M. Daspit Masonic Lodge #301.

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. 415 East Bridge Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582 is in charge of arrangements.