LaCaze, Woodrow

MSgt. Woodrow W. LaCaze, USAF, retired, 92, of Albers, died Monday, August 30, 2010, at his daughter’s home in Marion. He was born May 9, 1918 in Montrose, LA son of Frank and Lisa (Scroggins) LaCaze. He married Margaret L. Kennett on August 1, 1942 in St. Charles, MO and she preceded him in death on May 11, 2007. He is survived by his children, Tom (Donna) LaCaze of New Baden, Wanda (Albert) Noble of Marion and Frank (Tish) LaCaze of Salem; six grandchildren, Heather (Mark) Bruce, Rodney (Karen) LaCaze, Jace (Shelley) LaCaze, Jessica Glenn, Trisha (Jason) Brightwell, and Michelle (Jerry) Reed; nine great-grandchildren, Sophia LaCaze, Everett LaCaze, Ella LaCaze, Maddox LaCaze, Beau Brightwell, Zach Brightwell, Brooke Reed, Brandon Reed, and Isaiah Bruce; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Daniel & Viola Kennett of Albers, Eleanor Mueller of Albers, and Virginia Kennett of New Baden. In addition to his wife and his parents he was preceded in death by six brothers, Billazarre LaCaze, Moreau LaCaze, J.E. LaCaze, Sullivan LaCaze, Ashley LaCaze, and Neville LaCaze; one sister, Oreline Thomisee; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lilly LaCaze, Emily LaCaze, Mae LaCaze, Azzie LaCaze, Sis LaCaze, Betty LaCaze, Riley Thomisee, Virginia & John Logsdon, Victor Mueller, Franklin Kennett, and Charles & Adele Kennett. Mr. LaCaze was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during WWII in Africa and Italy and was a 1st sergeant for many years. After he retired from the Air Force he was a barber at Melvin’s Barber Shop in Belleville. He was a member of St. Bernard Parish in Albers and the American Legion Post 1026 in Albers. He enjoyed fishing. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Albers with Msgr. Donald Eichenseer officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery in Albers. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2010 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 2, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in Albers. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the American Legion Post 1026 and will be received at the funeral home.