Weldon John Simon, age 88, of Marksville

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Weldon John Simon will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Marksville with Father Abraham Varghese officiating. Interment will be in Holy Ghost Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Marksville.

Mr. Simon, age 88, of Marksville, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abel and Elzika Ford Simon; two sisters, Evelyn Simon Batiste and Mildred Simon Jones.

Weldon was a dedicated servant and lifelong member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church. He was a pillar of the church and community, serving faithfully as a member of the Parish Council, School Board member for Marksville Catholic School and a founding father of the Knights of Peter Claver, Council 169. He was also a problem-solver who often took on difficult and unwanted projects at work, church and around the house.

Weldon proudly served in the United States Army and was a Korean War Veteran and saw combat at the Battle of Inchon. After being Honorably Discharged from the Army, he returned to his home and farm in Marksville. He was a hard worker; working in infrastructure and heavy construction, troubleshooter and community advocate at Avoyelles Progress Action Committee (APAC). He later worked as Maintenance Supervisor at Marksville Housing Authority for over 35 years. He was well known in the community for his generous spirit and pleasant personality. He never met a stranger and was loved by many. His influence will remain in the lives of all who knew him. He was an advocate for his Creole heritage and spoke Creole-French fluently.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 52 years, Annatrail G. Simon of Marksville; two sons, Anthony W. Simon (Dianne) of Lancaster, TX, Michael E. Simon (Erica) of McKinney, TX; one sister, Earline S. Barron of Marksville; three grandchildren, Anthony Q. Simon of Beaumont, TX, Amber J. Joseph of McKinney, TX and Kennedy N. Simon of Baton Rouge. And a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home on Friday, February 15, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and will resume on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until shortly before service time.

A recitation of the rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be David Normand, Anthony Sampson, Emeric Jacob, J.C. Carmouche, Jessie Rogers, Derrick Rogers, Timothy Greenhouse, Paul Greenhouse and Bruce Batiste.

Honorary pallbearers will be Al Greenhouse, Walter Rogers, Roger McGlory, Martin Batiste, Russell Batiste, Christopher Batiste, Peter Ford Sr., Larry Nicholas, Jr., Lynn Alexander and members of the Knights of Peter Claver, Council 169.