Melvin Alphonse Venable

Funeral services will be held at a 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at St. Genevieve Catholic Church for Melvin Alphonse Venable, 76, who passed away Saturday February 16, 2008 at his residence. Reverend Keith Bordelon, Associate Pastor at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Lafayette. Mel was born on October 25, 1931, in Church Point, Louisiana. His parents, the late Jessie Venable and the former Lillie Johnson, instilled within him the qualities of character and integrity that earned him much deserved respect throughout his entire life. While early years of service in the United States Navy provided Mr. Venable with both opportunity and an A&P license, it was his determination and tenacity that rewarded him with a successful career in the helicopter industry. Many remember his twenty-seven years of service at Petroleum Helicopters, followed by Air Logistics and Omni Flight Helicopters. Mr. Venable ultimately retired from Industrial Helicopters. Mel Venable discovered the love of his life, Louise Hebert, and married her on June 21, 1957. Mr. Venable loved to play golf at Acadian Hills and Municipal golf courses with friends and family. He cherished family gatherings on Sunday mornings, where cooking wasn't a chore, but rather a pleasure-a gift he passed on to his children and grand children. Mel will mostly be remembered by his children for his selfless devotion to his wife, Louise of more than fifty years, especially over the last eight years as her primary care giver. Those who knew him well continue to benefit from his example. Those who did not know him are considered profoundly less fortunate by those who did. Survivors include his wife of 50 years of marriage, Louise Hebert Venable; six sons, Michael Venable of Anchorage, AK, Mark Venable of Houston, TX, Jack Venable of Houston, TX, John Venable and wife, Jody of Kenner, LA, Mitchell Venable of Houston, TX, and Matthew Venable of Los Angeles, CA; three daughters, Connie Venable Chiasson of Lafayette, LA, Kim Venable Barbato and husband, Daryl of Brazil, and Jodi Venable of Breaux Bridge, LA; eighteen grandchildren, Koby Venable and wife, Adrienne Venable, Jerrod Venable, Brittany, Alex, Nikki, Brennan Venable, Dustin and Trevor Venable, Lindsey Aucoin and husband, Trey Aucoin, Josh Chiasson, Micah Collins and husband, Mike, Thomas, Aaron and Allison Barbato, Brandon and Courtney Gallagher, and Nicholas and Zachary Graciana; three great grandchildren, Kameron and Jenna Venable, and Madison Aucoin; brothers and sisters, Ruby Venable Lyons, Judith Venable Faul, and Bonnie Venable Mercier and husband, Leo Mercier; in-laws, Louis and Pam Hebert and daughter Leslie Hebert Castro, and George and Chalie Hebert. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie Venable and Lillie McBride Venable; one brother, Joseph Emery Venable; and one grandson, Kourtney John Chiasson. The family requests visiting hours be observed on Monday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Tuesday from 8:00 am until the time of services. A rosary will be recited Monday at 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Personal condolences may be sent to the Venable family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Melvin Alphonse Venable

October 25, 1931 - February 16, 2008