Ray Christoffel

Funeral services for Ray A. Christoffel will be on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 11am at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Hessmer with Rev. Irion St. Romain officiating. Entombment will be in St. Alphonsus Cemetery under the direction of Escud Funeral Home of Mansura.
Mr. Christoffel, age 89 of Hessmer, died at Grace Home in Alexandria on Wednesday, July 10, 2013. He was a World War II veteran serving in the South Pacific. He was the owner and operator of the Pelican State Seed Co. for 30 years. He was a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus 3088, and a member of the American Legion post 130. He was a member of the Knights of St. Gregory. He was a graduate of the University of Louisiana Lafayette, obtaining a B.S. Degree in Agronomy. He was a past member of the Board of Trustees of Humana Hospital. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Union Bank for 25 years. He led the movement to have Hessmer incorporated in 1955 and was the first mayor from 1955 to 1965. He also was awarded a Commendable Service Honor plaque by the Woodmen of the World.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Roy Christoffel, his son John David Christoffel, and his sister Joanne C. Ducote. He was preceded in death by one son, Ray Christoffel, Jr. and his parents, Winnfield Bernadette Novo Christoffel.
Pallbearers will be Bobbie Coco, Glen Coco, Mac Normand, James Gauthier, Marvin Guillot, Melvin Villemarette. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Ducote, Judge Mark Jeansonne, Ray Normand, Ernest Lee, and Faron Normand.