Roland Matthew Bodin died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on May 11, 2021. Born on March 29, 1929 in Franklin, LA, he was the ninth child of late Edward Jean Bodin and Agnes Louise Ibert. He graduated from Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin in 1945 and from Louisiana State University in 1949 with a B.S. in Chemistry.
Roland relocated to Lake Charles in 1949 and was employed by Cities Service Refining Corp. (now CITGO) for 43 years in various positions in the Laboratory and Engineering Departments. He retired from CITGO in 1992 as Manager of the Environmental Services Department and member of the Senior Management Staff.
Roland was married for 52 years to the late Elaine Claire Broussard Bodin, and he was blessed with five children and their spouses: Barbara Ellen Bodin of Lake Charles; Catherine Claire Bodin, PhD. and William O’Toole of Emmitsburg, MD; Michael Roland Bodin and Karlleen Stockman of Hedgesville, WV; Gregory Edgar Bodin and Kathleen Gendusa Bodin of Baton Rouge; and George Edward Bodin of Lake Charles, LA; five grandchildren: John David Melton, Andrea Elaine Bodin, Ryan Gregory Bodin, Eliza Claire Bodin, Joseph Roland Bodin, and Wendy O’Toole Garilli; and three great grandchildren: Anabelle Melton, Zachary Garilli, and Jessica Garilli.
Roland was active in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, serving as a weekday sacristan, Lector, and Eucharistic Minister. He served several terms on the Pastoral Council and on the School Board, as well as serving an active parent volunteer with Immaculate Conception School and St. Louis Catholic High, where all five of his children attended school. He was awarded the Devoted Service Medal by both the Diocese of Lake Charles and by the Diocese of Lafayette.
He enjoyed hobby woodworking and miniature making. He collected stamps, paperweights, and kaleidoscopes as well as antiques.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elaine, his parents, five brothers, and three sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Immaculate Conception Parish (immaculateconceptioncathedral.com/donations) in his memory.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am, Friday, May 14, 2021 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation will be Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm with a Rosary at 6:00pm and will resume Friday at 8:00am until time of service at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com
