Lafayette – Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at a 2 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Catholic Church for Bernard Eugene Beyt, 87, who passed away peacefully on Monday, July 26, 2010, at his residence in Lafayette.

Reverend Ed Degeyter was the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and conducted the funeral services. Giftbearers were Mr. Beyt’s grandchildren and the Lectors were Linda Beyt and Christopher Beyt. Dave Domingue, accompanied on the organ by Deborah Duhon, sang “Here I Am, Lord,” “Psalm 23,” “Ave Maria,” “On Eagles’ Wings” and “Be Not Afraid” for the services.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Margaret Fournet Beyt; one daughter, Mary Beyt and her husband Douglas English of Lafayette; five sons, Dr. Gene Beyt and his wife Jane Larue of Indianapolis, Indiana, Raymond Beyt and his wife Janice Daigre of Lafayette, Dr. Gerard Beyt and his wife Karen Schreiber of St. Martinville, Joseph Beyt and his wife Linda Record of Lafayette and Peter Beyt of Los Angeles, California; 11 grandsons, Michael Beyt of Indianapolis, Indiana, David Beyt of London, England, Christopher Beyt and his wife Maureen Conway of Urbana-Champagne, Illinois, Justin Beyt of Houston, Texas, Aaron Beyt of Lafayette, Adam Beyt of Chicago, Illinois, Mark Beyt of St. Martinville, Dr. Paul Beyt of St. Martinville, Benjamin Beyt of St. Martinville, Jeremy Dunn and his wife Errin Nation of Thibodaux, Haley Harrison and her husband Jimmy of Orlando, Florida and Ian English of Lafayette; one sister, Joanna Barilleaux Beyt of Lafayette; and one brother, Thomas Beyt of New Iberia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul S. Beyt and Bernadette Couvillion Beyt, one brother, Paul Beyt; and one sister, Rita Beyt.

Bernard Beyt was a native of St. Martinville and a resident of Lafayette for 41 years. He proudly served his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII. A graduate of SLI (now UL-Lafayette), Mr. Beyt received his Law Degree from LSU and went on to practice Louisiana Law for Sun Oil Company in Beaumont, Texas. In 1968, he founded his own law firm in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Mr. Beyt was a member and former President of the Parish Council of St. Mary Catholic Church, Our Lady of Fatima School Board and Foundation Board, Our Lady of Fatima Men’s Choir, Serra Club, Knights of Columbus and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He served in a voluntary capacity as a legal advisor to the Marriage Tribunal for the Diocese of Lafayette.

Mr. Beyt was the founding President of the Acadiana Symphony, an organizer of Lafayette Right to Life and a Eucharistic Minister. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.

Pallbearers were Michael Beyt, David Beyt, Christopher Beyt, Justin Beyt, Aaron Beyt, Adam Beyt, Mark Beyt, Dr. Paul Beyt, Benjamin Beyt, Jeremy Dunn and Ian English.

Visitation was observed in Martin & Castille’s DOWNTOWN Lafayette location on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, from 8 a.m. until time of service.

A Rosary was prayed on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Beyt’s name to EWTN, 5817 Old Lees Rd., Irondale, AL 35210-9948.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.

Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311.