Lester Joseph Durel

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. John's Cathedral for Lester Joseph Durel, Sr. 92, who passed away at his residence on December 2, 2013 after a brief illness. Father Chester Arceneaux will officiate the mass and conduct the funeral service. Internment will follow at St. John's Cemetery. Lectors will be his granddaughters, Julie Schexnider, Natalie Broussard and Lauren Ashurst. Pallbearers will be Lester's 7 grandsons: Dr. Jason Durel, Dwayne Viator, B.J. Durel, Joshua Durel, Ryan Durel, Andrew Crain, and Aaron Crain. Giftbearers will be granddaughters, Megan Durel, Dawn Albert, Maureen Baumer, Ashley Durel, Katie Durel, Nicole Hebert and Elizabeth Viator. Alter server will be Mike Crain. Eucharistic Minister will be Maxie Durel-Crain. Mike Crain will deliver the eulogy. Born in New Orleans on August 7, 1921, Lester Durel was a World War II veteran having served in the Navy from 1942-45. In 1948, he moved to Lafayette, married and founded Durel’s Pet Shop which he and his wife owned and operated until his retirement in 1986. Left to cherish many wonderful memories are his 6 children and their spouses: Linda and Fred Montgomery, Sandy and Wilson Viator, Joey and Lynne Durel, John and Sheila Durel, Maxie and Mike Crain, Billy and Cindy Durel. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 sister, Marjorie Ferro, of North Carolina. Lester was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Iris Massicot Durel, his parents, Denis Peter Durel and Jeanette Buisson Durel, and 4 siblings. The family requests that visitation be observed from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on Wednesday, December 4 at Delhomme Funeral Home on Bertrand Dr. As requested by the family, there will be no visiting hours on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the funeral home. The family requests that relatives and friends gather at St. John's Cathedral at 9:50 am on Thursday. A rosary will be prayed on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200 Lafayette, LA 70503 or to the Durel Community Enhancement Fund dedicated to The Horse Farm, 1035 Camellia Blvd. Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508. Personal condolences may be sent to the Durel family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Lester Joseph Durel

August 7, 1921 - December 2, 2013