Obituaries

William Paul “Billy” Schwartz; 79; Ponchatoula; October 24; survived by his wife, Patricia Kendrick Schwartz; son, William “Paul” Schwartz, son, Brian Patrick Schwartz and his fiance Stacy Adams; grandchildren, Ethan and Brennan Schwartz; sister, Peggy Miller (Larry), brother, Charles Schwartz...

OBITUARES

Donald Ray Effler Sr.Donald Ray Effler Sr., of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the age of 74. He was born on Saturday, March 10, 1951, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.Ray worked for Coca-Cola as a production supervisor for 50-plus years.

Obituaries

Shirley Harding Hipps, a cherished member of her community and a devoted family woman, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on Saturday, September 23, 1950, in Grenada, Mississippi, Shirley lived a life filled with love and laughter.

Obituaries

Velva Ann Bickford Effler was born on May 17, 1942, and passed away on September 19, 2025, at the age of 83. She is survived by her first love and husband of 63 years, Johnny G Effler, and a son, Jeffrey Effler.

OBITUARES

Wilma Decoud; 74; Covington; September 18; visitation Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:30am-10:30am followed by funeral service at Christ Temple Church of Christ Holiness, 619 W 30th Ave, Covington.Daniel “Chuck” Chalk, Jr.

Obituaries

Steven Knott; 69; Tickfaw; September 4; survived by his children, Stephanie Jones (Jamie), Dianna Cornish, Kevin Knott; grandchildren, Timothy Howell, Joshua Slocum (Kayla), Shelby Slocum Cornish, Jack Jones (Natalie), Joseph Slocum and Ella Jones; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Yvonne Leilua...

OBITUARES

Katelynn Nicole Strate; 17; Ponchatoula; August 26; survived by her daughter, Kaylee Nicole Milagro Cruz; parents, Kristen N. Blow, and Rodney Strate, Jr.

OBITUARIES

Barry Paul Sterken: 66; Ponchatoula; August 21; survived by his loving wife of30 years, Gay Robertson Sterken; daughter, Amanda Sterken; sons, Benjamin Ernst, Haze Sterken, Knox Sterken; and brothers, Tillman Sterken Jr. (Angie), and David Sterken (Michelle).

Obituaries

Mary Jane Beauregard Lanier; 79; Ponchatoula; August 12; survived by her daughter Cynthia Lanier Walther (Paul); one grandson; one granddaughter; siblings Patricia Bennett, Stanley Beauregard (Linda), Sidney Cushing (Yvette), A.J.

OBITUARES

Pamela Folks Trice; 64; Ponchatoula; August 8; survived by her son, Daniel Trice; daughter, Rachel Binder (Jeremy); granddaughter, Hannah Binder; sister, Rhonda Pritchett (David); and numerous relatives and friends.