IOTA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iota for Florence Trahan “Flo” Manuel, 82, who died March 18, 2009 at Southwind Nursing Home. Fr. Mikel Polson pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church will be officiating for the services. The family is requesting visiting hours to be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to the time of service. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Iota. Interment will be in St. Joseph Mausoleum.

She was born in Lake Arthur and moved to Iota in 1957. Mrs. Manuel was devoted to her church by serving as the parish organist for 43 years and teaching religion for numerous years.

Mrs. Manuel is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Simar and her husband David of Iota, Charlotte Frey and her husband Ralph of Mowata, and Kayla LaFosse of Iota; one son, Brady Manuel of Evangeline; one daughter-in-law, Anne Ritter of Iota; twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Alice Sailor of Athens, GA, Arlene Hill of Clinton, MS, and Gwen Oliver of Egan; and six brothers, Louis Trahan, Jr. of Lake Arthur, Wardell Trahan of Lake Charles, Richard “Dickie” Trahan of Iota, Melvin Trahan of Maurice, Gerald “Jerry” Trahan of Gueydan, and Murriel Trahan of Opelousas.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Oney Manuel; one son, Tony Manuel; one grandson, Winston Frey, II; her parents, Louis and Alicia Conner Trahan, Sr.; one sister, Eloise Freyou; and two brothers, Raymond and Henry Trahan.

The pallbearers will be Brady and Jason Manuel, David and Bryan Simar, Ralph and Aaron Frey, and Brandon Lafosse.

The family wishes to thank Jude Sittig and the Staff of Southwind Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dr. M. N. Katira and Staff for the care and compassion given to Mrs. Manuel.

Condolences may be sent to the family on www.geesey-ferguson.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Iota.