Elfer Berteau

Beloved husband, father and grandfather

A native of Geismar and resident of Dutchtown, he died early Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was 89. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 28, 2008 from 5pm until 9pm. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7pm. Visitation on Monday, December 29, 2008 will be at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville beginning at 10am. Rev. Michael Alello will celebrate the mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Interment will follow in Cornerview Cemetery in Gonzales. He proudly served in almost every major naval battle in the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1942, Rip was rated Chief Petty Officer and was the highest ranking enlisted man on board the USS Ancon. His battle citations include Solomon Islands, Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, Manila and Okinawa. Following the war, Rip was a Deputy Sheriff in Ascension Parish and was appointed Chief Deputy for eight years. He later worked and retired from Ormet Corporation as a Guard Sgt. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Verna M. Berteau; sons, Edward J Berteau and fiance Melissa Hufft, Craig D. Berteau, M.D. and daughter Melanie B. Usry and husband Terry, five grandchildren; Lindsey and Ryan Usry, Chris Usry and wife Whitney, Elena and Jane Berteau, and Melissas children, Lindsey and Chad Hufft, and sister, Olive Alexander. He was preceded in death by parents, Valmon and Sylvie Berteau, two brothers, Cleveland and Winbon Berteau, Sr. and four sisters; Aline Parker, Hots Morvant, Mal Lamendola and Myrtle Berteau. Pallbearers will be Ryan, Chris and Terry Usry, Ross Gueho, Winbon Berteau, Jr. and Stanley Lamendola. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He loved farming and gardening and was known for his quick wit and great sense of humor. The family would like to give a special thank you to his caregivers, Cindy Crater, Pat LeJuene, Patti Dicharry and Phyllis Reynolds and also Dr. Craig, Dr. Raju and the MICU staff at Ochsner Medical Center for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Rips name to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. www.ascensionfuneral.com

Visitation

Ascension Funeral Home
426 West New River Street
Gonzales, LA  70737
Sunday, December 28, 2008
5pm until 9pm

Service

Visitation

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
5208 Hwy 73
Prairieville, LA  70769
Monday, December 29, 2008
10am until 11am

Mass of Christian Burial

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
5208 Hwy 73
Prairieville, LA  70769
Monday, December 29, 2008
11am

Cemetery

Cornerview Cemetery
Cornerview Road
Gonzales, LA  70737

Memorial Contributions

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN  38105