MelvilleHighSchool

Funeral services for Lawrence Joseph Wiltz, 79, will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 2004, at 11 a.m. at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, with interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Washington. The Rev. Gene Tremie will officiate.

Mr. Wiltz died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004, at 11:15 p.m. at home in Opelousas, after fighting a long, brave battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Mr. Wiltz was born on March 7, 1924, in Krotz Springs, grew up in Melville and taught school there for 25 years. He moved to Opelousas in 1977. He was a retired teacher and guidance counselor. He was a graduate of SLI with a master's degree in Administration and Supervision from LSU, and spent the majority of his professional career working for the St. Landry Parish School Board.

He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Retired Teachers Association. He joined the Navy to serve his country during WWII for three years, and was a past Commander of the VFW.

Above all else, he was a loving and devoted husband and the world's best father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His deep faith guided every aspect of his life. He loved to travel and instilled that love in all his children. He was a great teacher and an inspiration to so many of his students. He never met a stranger ... always smiling and extending his hand to others. He loved to dance and entertained his family often with moves that were much better than "Elvis."

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Boudreau Wiltz, of Opelousas; four daughters and two sons;
Bonnie Shuffler and husband, Fred of Houston
Holly O'Dell of Houston
Beth Freeman of Houston
Lawrence (Larry) Wiltz and wife, Peggy, of Krotz Springs
Ellen McCormick and husband, Randolph, of Sunset
Michael Wiltz and wife, Connie, of Opelousas

14 grandchildren, Alice and Evan Fairbanks, Monica Rosenstein and husband, Charlie, Catherine O'Dell, Phillip Freeman and wife, Brandy, Joshua Freeman and wife, Jennifer, Elizabeth and Stephen Satterly, Joe, Leslie, Logan, Julian, Sarah Jane and Laura Kate Wiltz; and one great-grandson, Corbin Rosenstein; two sisters, Violet Waggenspack of Baton Rouge and Mabel Caldwell of Diamondhead, Miss.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Wiltz, a native of Krotz Springs, and his mother, Aola Andrus Wiltz, a native of Port Barre.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until time of service at church.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Phillip Freeman, Joshua Freeman, Evan Fairbanks, Joe Wiltz, Logan Wiltz, Julian Wiltz and Stephen Satterly. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Antie, Bill Blodgett, Isaac Broussard, Bob Casanova, Raymond Couvillion, James Langley, J.L. Moreau, C.J. Perkins, J.C. Phillips, Dr. Brent Prather, Harold Wiltz and Jerry Wiltz.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas (337) 942-2638, on the old Sunset Highway is in charge of arrangements.