Lawrence “Paul” Kluka Lawrence “Paul” Kluka, beloved husband and father, passed peacefully at the age of 73 at his home, with his loving wife & two children at his side, on Monday, August 10, 2026 (Feast of St. Lawrence). He retired as an engineer from AT&T (Bellsouth), after 45 years of dedicated service. Paul was known for serving Ponchatoula and its surrounding communities through many different organizations. These included but are not limited to Key Club (Kiwanis), Ponchatoula (Dixie) Youth Baseball & Basketball, St. Joseph school board, the Knights of Columbus, Hammond City Club, and anything that involved local waterways. He was not only involved but usually assumed coach/ leadership roles. Closest to his heart were his Catholic Faith and God, his family, and time with friends and family on the Tangipahoa River. Paul is already deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Karen Smith Kluka; children, Brennan Paul Kluka (Meghan), and Brielle “Breezy” Elese Kluka; grandchildren, Allyn Anne Kluka and Jameson Paul Kluka; sisters, Karen Lynn Kluka Slocum, Sylvia Kluka Hebert, Virginia Kluka Bordelon (Errol), and Evelyn Kluka Meier (Gregory); mother, Beulah Beauchamp Kluka; godmother, Catherine Mae Kluka Harper; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his beloved father, Lawrence Rudolph Kluka and brotherin-law, Dale Thomas Hebert.
Services were held at St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Catholic Church in Albany, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in the parish hall from 9:30 until 11:30am. The Mass, officiated by Fr. Paul Gros, followed in St. Margaret Catholic Church.
The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to The Hospice of Baton Rouge, as well as several exceptional providers/ family friends. Special ‘thank yous’ go to nurses Jennifer Johnson and Lisa Gauthier, as well as Stacy Howard, Clinical Liaison, for their heartfelt care and compassion during this difficult journey.
Danette Ellis Ragusa; 62; Ponchatoula; August 7; survived by her daughter, Abigail Buzzetta (Joseph); son, Seth Ragusa; sister, Daphne Aguillard (Dusty); grandchildren, Melodie Mulkey, Ellis Ragusa, Emery Ragusa, Landon Ragusa, Karleigh Buzzetta, Kennedy Buzzetta, and Braysin Buzzetta; and parents, Sandra and Edward Ellis.
Gerald Young Hayden; 83; Amite; August 8; survived by his children, Todd Hayden (Kathy) and Jill Romero (Billy Joe); grandchildren, Zachary Hayden, Gabriel Hayden, Dominic Lawless, and Addie Lawless; and great-grandson, Andrew Hayden.
Lloyd Benjamin Herrod; 38; Hammond; August 8; survived by his life partner, Jacquelynn Arnold; children, Landen, Rowen, and Laken Herrod; father, Jay Herrod (Joy); brother, Jacob Herrod (Allison); stepmother, Stephanie Day (Derrick); uncle, Raymond Martin (Amber); aunt, Darlene Normand; grandfather, Steven Lanier; and numerous cousins and friends.
Darlene Lulow Lacara; 61; Hammond; August 9; survived by her daughter, Mary Elise Lacara; former husband, Joseph Lacara Jr.; siblings, Sandy McCaleb, Robert Lulow Jr., and Debbie Oakley (Scott); dog, Teddy; numerous nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and dear friends.
Thomas Parker Morgan, Sr.; 65; Montpelier; August 10; survived by his children, Thomas Parker Morgan, Jr. (Autleigh) and Brittany Morgan Faunce (Hunter); granddaughters, Livvy and Millie; sister, Cynthia (Bill); brother, Jonathan (Donna); half-sister, Gloria; a niece, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; and companion, Brooke Bishop.
Benny Wayne McKinney; 67; Hammond; August 10; survived by her daughter, Ashley Rae McKinney; son, Jeff C. McKinney; sister, Cheryl Easley; life partner, Mary Cooley; grandchildren, Tevin, Taber, Trevor, Alayna, Brayden, Journey, and Natalie; stepmother, Gladys Williams; and stepbrothers, Carter, Terry, and Gary Hoyt.
Chasity Laine Heaney; 43; August 10; survived by her sons, Shane Mackles and Nathan Mackles; stepchildren, Brittney Mackles and Katelyn Sinon (Chris); mother, Hazel Heaney; brother, Chad (Amanda); and half-sister, Darlene Albers (John Paul).
Lawrence 'Paul' Kluka; 73; Ponchatoula; August 10; survived by his wife, Karen Kluka; children, Brennan Kluka (Meghan) and Brielle 'Breezy' Kluka; grandchildren, Allyn and Jameson; sisters, Karen Slocum, Sylvia Hebert, Virginia Bordelon (Errol), and Evelyn Meier (Gregory); mother, Beulah Kluka; godmother, Catherine Harper; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Dylan Andrew Wilkinson; 33; Loranger; August 11, survived by his wife, Danielle Wilkinson; son, Declan Durbin; father, Jimmy Wilkinson, Sr. (Pam Dawson); siblings, Brittany Traylor (John) and Jimmy Wilkinson, Jr. (Kacie); grandparents, Patricia and Welton Lewis; and nieces and nephews, Addison, Aiden, Eli, Madilyn, Kade, and Asher.
Jerry Russell King; 89; Amite; August 11; Survived by her children, Cynthia 'Cindy' King Reeves and John R. King; stepdaughter, Belinda Goff (Mike); grandchildren, Jonathan, Meghan, Lynn, John, Allen, and Kim; six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Barbara, Dorothy, and Jerry; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Annie Pisciotta DiGiovanni; 80; Independence; August 11; survived by her daughters, Louise (Frankie) and Phine Eleser; grandchildren, Frank III, Kari (Joe), Amy, Charles (Meagan), and Toni (Dayne); great-grandchildren, Emily, Hailey, and Kayelynn; brother, Vincent (Kathy); sister, Mary Jo Marcus; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Sandra Gail Lessig Ferguson; 80; August 11; survived by sister, Colleen A. Scott; brother, Terry V. Lessig; nephews, Ronald Lessig and Rick Lessig; and many friends.
Jerry Lee Meek; 70; Hammond; August 11; survived by his wife, Cynthia (Eck) Meek; children, Myron (Michelle) Meek, Rachel (Carlos) Doolittle, Andrea (Bryan) McLaughlin, Krista (Hamilton) Clark, and Elaine (Martin) Carpenter; fifteen grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; siblings, Teddy Meek, DeWayne Meek, Beverly Anderson, and Terri (Scott) Wolf.
Robert 'Bob' Salvador Miano; 80; Hammond; August 11; survived by his daughter, Melanie LeBoeuf (AJ); stepdaughter, Kim Navarra (Roy); and brother-in-law, Edwin Troxler, Jr.
Tammy Howell Terrebonne; 55; Amite; August 12; survived by her husband, Brian Terrebonne; sons, James Garza (Alexandra), Shane Terrebonne, and Sean Terrebonne; grandchildren, Haleigh and Wyatt; mother, Betty Howell; sisters, Carolyn Magee (Hugh), Becky Howell, Thelma Wallace (Douglas), Betty Prescia (Anthony), and JoAnn Lato (Vincent); and brother, Ricky Howell.
Roger Dale Hughes; 70; Albany; August 13; survived by his wife, Brenda Hughes; children, Sherry Hughes (Larry), Crystal Stewart (Bo), Tabitha Hughes (Jason), Brittany Ford (Austin), Whitney Hughes, and Roger Hughes II (Brittany); nephews, Johnny Downing (Jan) and Tim Downing (Nikki); 14 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Rev. Tim Hill; 67; August 13; survived by his wife, Julie Hill; daughter, Deryn Faith Hill Brown (Wesley); son, Dakota Hill; sisters, Sylvia Trisler and Vicky Stringer; sister-in-law, Paula Dykes; brother-in-law, Steve Stevens (Jeannie); grandchildren, Remi Brown and Gabe Tomlinson; mother-in-law, Ava Stevens; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Maureen Breen Felder; 81; Ponchatoula; August 13; survived by her children, Daniel R., Lois C. Felder Gordon, and Morris L. Felder, Jr. (Kelly); 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Rev. Bernard J. Breen and James D. Breen; sister, Ann Marie Kenney (Stan); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Betsy Ann Baham Creel; 80; Tickfaw; August 15; survived by numerous nieces and nephews.