Shawn Paul Schech; 32; Ponchatoula; March 9; remembered by his father and stepmother, Shawn and Sheila Schech; his mother, Kim Hauck Willis; brother and sister-in-law, Ryan and Jessica Schech; nieces, Carolyn and Rosalee Schech, nephew, Mathias Schech; and his grandfather and step-grandmother, Paul and JoAnn Hauck.
Patricia Jean Tooze Hughes; 81; Falls Church, VA; March 11; visitation will be held on Saturday, March 28, at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula, from 9:00am until the service begins at 11:00am. Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Abbey Cemetery.
Virginia “Ginger” Mary Dean; 73; Loranger March 15; a graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 12:30pm at St. Dominic Catholic Church Cemetery, 56131 Hwy 445, Husser, Louisiana. Arrangements entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home and Crematory.
Michael Alex Bennett; 67; Bedico; March 19; survived by his wife, Shelia Bennett; daughters Morgan Bryant (Will), Meghan Chatellier, and Lane Miller (Caleb); grandchildren Lakin, Alexa, Bailey, Meyah, Harper, Finley, Sadie, and Lincoln; bonus grandchild Jake; sister Nancy DeFreese; and brother Randall Bennett.
Josephine Ruth Kennedy; 71; Springfield; March 20; survived by her sisters, Betty Gay Rena and Regina McCord; brother, Joseph Kennedy (Sharon); sister-in-law, Loretta Kennedy; special cousin Sharon Irby Derbins; special niece Kay Kinchen; and many loving nieces and nephews. Special appreciation to Lena McCarter.
George Steven Slaght; 74; Ponchatoula; March 20; survived by his wife, Carol DeRusha Slaght, and daughter, Marilyn Slaght Guitreau, son-in-law, Kevin Guitreau, and grandchildren, John and Caroline Guitreau, as well as Elizabeth Slaght Kale, his sister.
Richard Thomas Young; 92; Independence; March 20; survived by his wife of 53 years, Bernie Lee Young; and several children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in-laws.
Betty Carrier Goodwin; 79; Independence; March 20; survived by her sons, Otto Goodwin (Angie), and Raymond Kirk Goodwin; sisters, Audrey Lanier, Margie McGuff, and Ida Carrier; grandchildren, Lacy Helminiak (James), Clint Goodwin (Jade), Lyndsee Goodwin (Richard), and Jonah Goodwin; and several other relatives.
Paul Arthur Dozar; 60; Albany; March 21; survived by his wife, Angela Coyne; sons, Jeremy Dozar (Amy), Jacob Dozar, Joseph Dozar; daughter, Summer Wells; sister, Rosemary Walters; brother, James Dozar; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Robert Edward Townsend; 76; Ponchatoula; March 21; survived by his wife Donna Braun Townsend; daughter & son-in-law, Amanda Townsend Griffen and Bo Griffen, son & daughter-in-law, Kevin Robert Townsend and Kendra Townsend, son, Ryan Edward (Rudy) Townsend; and several other relatives.
Janessa Ann Whittington; 56; Ponchatoula; March 22; survived by her father, Robert Earl Whittington; children, Brandon Burns (Megan), Brianna Burns Kepner (Tyler), and John Burns; five grandchildren, Emma Burns, Ellison Burns, Mae Burns, Maggie Burns, and Britain Burns; four siblings; and many other family members.
Joe “Dominick” Ribando, Jr.; 86; Ponchatoula; March 22; survived by wife Vivian Ribando; children, Tonya Garrison (Kelly), Joe III (Samantha), Dean, Heather Bell (Bodie), and Callista; stepchildren, Ginger Poche, Penny Poche Carter (Mike), and Buffie Hutchinson; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Johnny Ribando and Jo Alfonso (Frank); and other relatives.
Johnny Gill; 90; Albany; March 22; survived by his sons, Darren Gill and Gary Gill; daughter, Kristi Meyers (Wendell); sister, Jerry Ann McGee; grandchildren, Craig Gill (Alecia), Brett Gill (Rachel), Logan Gill, Kyle Gill, Haley Meyers, Scott Meyers; and nine
great-grandchildren.
Larry Keith “Tadpole” Kennedy; 81; Denham Springs; March 23; survived by his adored wife of 56 years, Mary Gauthier Kennedy; children, Rhonda Brouillette, Taddi Brown (Richard), and John Kennedy (Kim); ten grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Jerry Gully Graff; 86; Hammond; March 23; survived by her daughters, Wendy Clark (Pete “Joey”) and Misty Boyers; brother, James Bernard Gully, Jr (Kay); sister, Joe Alice Thorton (Bill); grandson, Joshua Hamilton Boyers; and many nieces and nephews.
Marie Marchese Moschitta; 94; Hammond; March 24; survived by her daughters, Rosemarie Graziano (Wayne) and Paula Watkins (George); her grandchildren, Melanie Johnson (Brett), Valerie Barron, Brandon Graziano (Amanda), and Victoria Murley (Travis); and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.