Band director, song writer

ST. MARTINVILLE -- Services for former band director, musician and song writer Robert “Rat” Thibodeaux will be Saturday. He died Feb. 16 at age 89.

Thibodeaux, author of “I’m Not a Fool Anymore” and “As You Pass Me By (Graduation Night)”, was a member of the La. Music Hall of Fame.

He was band and choral director at St. Martinville High for 30 years, principal of St. Martin Academy and director of Arc Haven Home for the mentally handicapped in New Iberia.

Survivors include three sons and a daughter.



Arts educator

NEW ORLEANS -- Services will be Friday for artist and art educator Lloyd Sensat, Jr. He died Feb. 18 at age 66.

Sensat, a Crowley native, was a Viet Nam veteran. He was an arts educator in Acadia Parish and in St. Charles Parish.

He also served as director of the St. Charles Parish Gifted and Talented Program.

Survivors include his mother Marcella.

Arrangements are by Jacob Schoen & Son.



Mental health activist

CARENCRO -- Services will be Saturday for nurse and mental health activist Susan Karam. She died Feb. 23 at age 54.

Karam was a school nurse and active in a number of organizations.

She was instrumental in organizing and establishing the National Alliance for Mental Illness.

Survivors include her mother Georgia, two sons and a daughter.

Arrangements are by Melancon.

Pharmacy official

BATON ROUGE -- Services will be Friday for former chief inspector of the La. Board of Pharmacy Fred Shiel, Jr. He died Feb. 20 at age 87.

He operated Shiel’s Drug Center in Lafayette for years, was the state board’s chief inspector and worked in the Office of Diversion Control, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Survivors include his wife Joyce, three sons, a daughter and a step-daughter,

Arrangements are by Resthaven.