Ivan West

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EUNICE-The family of Ivan West regrets his passing on Sunday, March 15, 2009. He died at home surrounded by family after a hard fought battle with spinal cancer. Though he was born in Vernon Parish on August 20, 1927, Ivan resided in Eunice for the past 60 years and he was a Cajun in heart and soul.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 2:00 pm at St. Thomas More Church in Eunice. Rite of Committal will follow in the Garden Mausoleum of St. Paul Cemetery with Father Cedric Sonnier as Celebrant.

Mr. West was a veteran of World War II and was a past commander of American Legion Post 129. He was also a member of the 40 and 8 of the American Legion.

He was very active in the community as a past president and founder of the Eunice Jaycees, past president of the St. Edmund Booster Club, past president of Eunice Chamber of Commerce, past president and founder of the Eunice Petroleum Club and was listed in the personalities of the South. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 410-32 Mason, Habibi Temple Shrine Club, the Corinth Mardi Gras Association and a longtime member of the St. Landry Sheriffs posse.

Ivan had a long, successful career in the oilfield and was an integral part of its success in the area. From 1951-1984 he was president of Harris Well Service, Sladco and Harris Specialty. In 1985, he was district manager of Well Solutions, Inc.

Thoughout these years, he was a member of the American Petroleum Insititute, The National Petroleum Council, served on the Louisiana Oilfield Legislative and was on President Gerald Fords Advisory Committee. Ivan was very proud to have been affiliated with the Association of Oil Well Serving Contractors. He was instrumental in the formation of the South Louisiana AOSC Chapter. He chaired the Public Affairs Committee, First Contract Committee and Publication Committee. He served on the safety committee, WOWSAC Committee, Insurance Committee as well as on the committee that wrote the data handbook for the organization. He later served as the Louisiana Chapter Chairman and was on the state board of directors. By 1974, he had served at the National level as Treasurer, Vice President and in 1973, was the National President.

Upon retirement from the oil industry, Ivan was involved and instrumental in the formation of the St. Landry Parish Fire Protection District 6 which is one of the largest in the parish.

Ivan is survived by his wife, Andrea; daughter, Christiann and Jesse Stelly of Eunice; daughter Denise Stanco of Lafayette; daughter Llona Arceneaux of Baton Rouge and daughter Kelly and son-in-law Lance Pitre of Eunice. Ivan was blessed with 7 grandchildren who include Rebecca, Matthew, Heide, Alain, Carolann, Camille and Nicolas. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Gladys Meyer of Eunice and two brothers Lee and De Wayne West of Pitkin, Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his infant son and daughter, his parents Susie and Lee West, twin brother Avis, brothers Chester, Shirley and Eston and a sister Yvonne.

The family request that visiting hours be observed on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Ardoins Funeral Home in Eunice from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm and again on Thursday, March 19,2009 at 10:00 am until a brief chapel service at 1:00 pm with Pastor Gary Koopman to precede the funeral mass at 2:00 pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm Wednesday evening.
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Visitation

Ardoins Funeral Home
1301 W Laurel Ave.
Eunice, LA  70535
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
3:00 PM 9:00 PM

Service

A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

St. Thomas More Catholic Church
1011 Sittig Road
Eunice, LA  70535
Thursday, March 19, 2009
2:00 PM

ROSARY

Ardoins Funeral Home Chapel
1301 W. Laurel Ave.
Eunice, LA  70535
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
7:00 PM

PASTOR GARY KOOPMAN

Ardoins Funeral Home Chapel
1301 W Laurel Ave
Eunice, LA  70535
Thursday, March 19, 2009
1:00 PM

Cemetery

St. Paul Mausoleum
W Laurel Ave
Eunice, LA  70535