Deacon Joseph Leon LeJeune

Deacon Joseph
Leon LeJeune
ESTHERWOOD - A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Estherwood for Deacon Joseph Leon LeJeune, 85, who died Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 2:45 p.m. at Landmark of Rayne Nursing Home.
Father John Dugas, parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua in Eunice, officiated for the services and Father Andrew Schumacher, pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland, con-celebrated and was the homilist.
Visitation was Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. A rosary was recited Friday at 6 p.m. Burial was in the Estherwood Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. LeJeune was a native and lifelong resident of Estherwood. He was a graduate of Midland High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in the U.S. Army he was stationed in Europe and Frankfort, Germany, having served during the Cuban Missile crisis. He was an expert marksman.
He then decerned for one year of religious life at Our Lady of Mepkins Abbey in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He then graduated in 1970 from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (ULL) with a bachelor’s degree in English and French. He then earned an education degree from Nichols State University. He retired after 25 years of teaching.
After retirement from teaching, he worked for Walmart for 20 years. On Aug. 9, 1980, he became a Deacon for the Diocese of Lafayette and served until his death.
Mr. LeJeune loved being a deacon and working with people. He also was an avid hunter. He was very devoted to his prayer life, loved God, his family, and friends.
Deacon LeJeune is survived by his wife of 55 years, Julia Claire Bergeron LeJeune of Estherwood; five daughters, Celine Ruiz and husband Raul of Lake Elsinore, California, Marie Minnick and husband Craig of Lafayette, Madeleine Dennison and husband Richard of Conroe, Texas, Anne Davis and husband Lance of Niceville, Florida, and Gabby LeJeune of Lafayette; seven sons, André LeJeune and wife Jamie of Broussard, Henri LeJeune and wife Emily of Knoxville, Tennessee, Paul LeJeune and wife Amy of Baton Rouge, Jean-Marc LeJeune and wife Christine of Temple, Texas, Phillippe LeJeune of Parlin, New Jersey, Michael LeJeune of Estherwood, and David LeJeune and wife Leah of Blacksburg, Virginia; 18 grandchildren, Hannah and Allyson LeJeune, Jonah, Aidan, and Vivian Ruiz, Jace LeJeune, Sarah Nash, Masie and Devin Minnick, Claire Dennison, Alex, John Paul, Mary, and Stephen Davis, Max, Kai, and Ember LeJeune, and Evangeline LeJeune; two great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Jordan Nash; two sisters, Mary Linda Romero of Estherwood, and Frances Henderson of Iota; four brothers, James LeJeune of Jennings, Michael LeJeune of Crowley, Patrick LeJeune of Iota, and Peter LeJeune of Estherwood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Delia Meche LeJeune; one sister, Shirley Johnson; and one brother, Samuel Ray LeJeune.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F, Crowley, 337-783-3313.