Albert Earl Hartiens

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Albert Earl Hartiens, 88, who passed away at his home on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 3:00 pm, after a short illness. Albert was born on June 12, 1920 to Mollie Goll and Albert Anderson in Bunkie, Louisiana. He was raised in central Louisiana by his mother and stepfather, Sidney L. Hartiens, who adopted him. As a young man, during WWII, he worked in a factory that produced bomber aircraft. He later joined the armed forces and served with the 92nd Bomber Group of the 326th Bomb Squadron of the Army Air Corps. He flew over 26 missions as a tail gunner over the Axis countries. In 1940 he married Juanita McCartney and settled in Lafayette in 1948, where he managed Sherwin Williams Paint Store for many years. During their marriage, Al and Juanita had eight children, Sidney, Alice, Albert (Andy), Preston, Tina, Stephen, Robin and Jonathon. Together, Al and Juanita established Hartiens' Evangeline Paint Store on Johnston Street in 1964. Albert recently closed the store in January of 2008. The store was an invaluable resource to many artists and interior decorators that enjoyed the personal attention, advice, and supplies. In 1982, Albert married Louise Arnould Orgeron. Over twenty years of marriage, they developed a passion for televised sporting events of all types, football, basketball and softball. Prior to Louise's death, the store began a well-received series of art classes for students of all ages and levels of expertise. They traveled the US often attending reunions of his WWII squadron. Albert was a friend of Bill W. for many years. Albert enjoyed supporting the arts in all forms and belonged to many civic, state, and religious organizations. He held offices in several of these organizations. In 1996, he was recognized by the Acadiana Arts Council for his generous support of the arts and artists in Acadiana. In addition to his children, he is also survived by his stepchildren, Douglas Orgeron and his wife, Colleen, and Marie Antoinette Orgeron; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Christine McFarlin and Chris Orgeron, Albert's caretakers in his final days. Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Albert Hartiens to the Acadiana Arts Council, 101 W. Vermilion Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 or Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Ste. 200, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503 or www.hospiceacadiana.com. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 8:00 am until the time of the memorial service. Personal condolences may be sent to the Hartiens family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Albert Earl Hartiens

June 12, 1920 - June 26, 2008