REBECCA (BECKY) GRETCHEN KIRSCH LUTHER
Rebecca (Becky) Gretchen Kirsch Luther, of McKinney, Texas, peacefully passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the age of 51.
She was born on Monday, February 5, 1973, in Metairie, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Jacob Frederick Kirsch, Jr. and the late Patricia Fonseca Kirsch. She was born on Monday, February 5, 1973, in Metairie, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Jacob Frederick Kirsch, Jr. and the late
Patricia Fonseca Kirsch.
Becky was a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 1991, where she proved to be a star athlete excelling in basketball, softball, and volleyball. Her fellow teammates became lifelong friends and shared many memories on and off the court/ field. Becky went on to study marketing and kinesiology at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she graduated in 1996.
Becky married Scotty Luther on November 8, 1997, and together, they made 31 years of cherished memories. Her greatest joy was being the mother of their two daughters, Shelby and Savanna.
Her fighting spirit and strength helped her endured through her trying years. As a final act of bravery, Becky has donated her body to aid in research to help others.
Becky is survived by her husband, Scotty Luther; daughters, Shelby and Savanna Luther; grandson, Ashton Hayden Payne, Jr.; sisters, Rachel Kirsch Methvin and Gretchen Kirsch Cook (Frank). She is also survived by nieces, Melinda Graham, Brittany Dooley, Trinity Methvin, and Kirschten Methvin; nephew, Frank Cook; and great-niece, Logan Graham.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Patricia Kirsch; grandmother, Irene Daigle Dibos; and grandmother, Frieda Burg Kirsch.
The family would like to thank Settlers Ridge Care Center and Kindful Health for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Becky’s legacy, donations can be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at https://app.donorview.com/ n3kl.
Frank R. Gonzales; 75; Independence; July 19. Frank was the owner of Indy Prop Shop in Independence and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was known as a private person but did enjoy fishing at his camp in Manchac. Frank was laid to rest with a Catholic burial service next to his parents at Sand Hill Cemetery in Ponchatoula.
John Lee Janes, Sr.; 87; Springfield; July 20; survived by his sons, John Jr. (Carro) and Jay; brother, Ken; sister, Dorothy Logan; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Anthony Vernon Foster Sr.; 78; Springfield; July 21; survived by his wife, Marjorie Meades Foster; daughters, Sonya and Carla; son, Anthony Jr. (Danyelle); grandsons, Trapper, Ross (Emiley), Landon (Kelly); granddaughters, Laikyn, Brooke, Bella, Mia, and Ava; great-granddaughter, Myla; brothers, Wallace (Dorothy), Cloyd (Marie), Harold; and sisters, Vera and Viola.
Ralph Degenhardt; 76; Independence; July 22; survived by his kids, Frank and Amanda; step-kids, Dawn and Jannine Ballard, Wayne Ballard Jr. (Jennifer); twelve grandkids; three great-grandkids; siblings, Becky Ballard and Elsie Bankston; and exwife, Pat Degenhardt.
Katherine Mary Brandau; 38; Ponchatoula; July 22; survived by her children, Terrell and Camyrn; father, Wahden Brandau, Sr.; siblings, Wahden Jr. (Ashley), Nicole, and Amba (Tank); as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.
James Lovell Stewart; 84; Tickfaw; July 22; survived by his sister, Faye Tate; numerous nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
Betty Joyce White Farkas; 90; Albany; July 23; survived by her sons, Paul M. “Marty” Farkas (Anita), Christopher F. Farkas (Barbara), Todd A. Farkas; daughter, Summer E. Owens (Brad); four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a special niece; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Jessie Soley; 64; Springfield; July 23; survived by his wife of 45 years, Belinda Gene Soley; daughter, Tiffany Nicole Soley; sons, Jessie Kenneth Soley and Justin James Soley; sister, Mary Lindsey; brother, Albert Anthony; and grandchildren, Bently, Harmony, KC, Mickey, Easton, Thea, Adelynn, Kamden, and Elijah.
Henry Simon; 86; Ponchatoula; July 23; survived by his wife, Maryjane Bitter Simon; daughter, Rhonda Louise Simon Blanchard; son, Chandler Gene Simon; stepsons, Jeffrey Rooney, David Rooney, and Timothy Barnes; stepdaughter, Patricia Morse; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
William “Billy” Dewitt Lee; 75; Robert; July 24; survived by his beloved daughter and son-inlaw, Shannon Dantoni and Phillip Vicknair; three grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Lee Ballard; brother, Sidney Lee, Jr. (Sharon Kay); sister-in-law, Lisa Lee; brother-in-law, James Dunnington; devoted caregiver; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Dr. John Taylor Alexander; 80; Hammond; July 24; survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy Hardwick Alexander; daughter, Kimberly Alexander Diez (Brad), and grandsons, Dalton and Chance Diez; his son, John (Stacy), grandsons, Finn and Felix; and his son, Scott. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Cecelia Valenti Nye; 94; Loranger; July 24; survived by her son, Thomas; daughter, Patricia (Donald); son, Rickey (Dayan); son, Mark; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Katie Nye and Annie Valenti Dufour; and brothers, Pete and Tony Valenti.
Michael Louis Allemand; 81; Ponchatoula; July 25; survived by his wife, Irma Allemand; daughters, Angela Galjour and April Edwards; son-in-law, Joseph Galjour; grandchildren, Jasmine and Michael Galjour (Emily), great grandchildren, CJ and Eliska Galjour, Chance Chauvin, Michael Knight, and Chico.
JESSIE “IRENE” UMBACH
Jessie “Irene” Umbach, a longtime resident of Hammond, departed to her heavenly home on July 1, 2024, at 8:14pm surrounded by her family.
She was 89 years young. Irene proudly worked at Locascio’s Hardware store for over 30 years where she found countless community friendships. Irene was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.
Irene leaves behind a daughter, Debbie Henagan, and husband, Ricky, a son, Rickey Umbach, and wife, Tará. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Ryan Umbach and wife, Chelsea, Brittany Mickan and husband Mark, Michelle Von Blon and husband Ashton, and Seth Umbach and wife Natalie, as well as seven great-grandchildren (and another on the way due in August): Reece Umbach, Reed Umbach, Jenson Mickan, Madeleine Mickan, Louella Umbach, Peyton Von Blon and Ridge Umbach.
Preceding Irene in death were her loving husband of 59-1/2 years, Royce Edward Umbach; her parents, Joseph Ebert and Esther Watts; stepmother, Jennie Watts; brothers, Bob Watts and Wayne Watts; and sister, Evelyn Cleveland.
Relatives and friends will be invited to attend a celebration of life at the First Christian Church in Hammond, 305 E. Charles St., on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 12:00pm until the service begins at 2:00pm.
Interment will follow at Sandhill Cemetery in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church in Hammond.
To order memorial trees in memory of Jessie Irene Umbach, please visit our tree store.
Dorothy Pauline Gordon; 77; Ponchatoula; July 26; survived by her sister and long-term caregiver, Paula Jenkins (Virgil), sister, Betty Daigle (Ernest); nine nephews; one niece; as well as her great nieces and nephews that were always close to her heart.
Teresa Hodges; 90; Independence; July 27; survived by her children, Richard Hodges (Laura), Pat Reitz, Kenneth Hodges (Karen), Tommy Hodges (Jenifer) and Michelle Cardenas (Alan); eight grandchildren; sixteen great- and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.