St. Paul Bonin

St. Martinville – A Mass of Christian Burial was conducted for St. Paul Bonin, 84, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2020, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church with Fr. Bill Melancon officiating.
Interment followed at St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Coteau Holmes.
A gathering of family and friends took place at Evangeline Funeral Home of St. Martinville on Sunday from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. A rosary was prayed at 7 p.m. The funeral home re-opened on Monday from 8 a.m. until the service time.
A native of Loreauville and resident of St. Martinville, Mr. Bonin passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2020, at Iberia Medical Center.
Born on February 2, 1936 to the late Johnnie and Eunice B. Bonin, St. Paul was one of seven children. He was a kind and caring man who enjoyed the simple life of country living. St. Paul had a big and loving personality. He always had the biggest smile in the room and loved talking with people. He was known for making the rounds and visiting business and places in St. Martinville to visit and catch up with friends. The workers of the bank would say “Trouble is here!” when he walked through the door.
St. Paul was a hardworking man who never stopped. In his teen years he worked the cane fields, on a dredge boat, and in the saw mill. St. Paul even drove a school bus for the St. Martin Parish School Board for several years.
He was perhaps best known as a carpenter. St. Paul was a very talented carpenter and loved woodworking. He made it into a career and helped to build many houses throughout Acadiana. St. Paul and his son would often work together, a passion which they both enjoyed deeply.
He knew how to relax as well and enjoyed dancing with his loving wife, Vernice, and listening to good Cajun music. He was a football fan and always pulled for The Saints! More than anything else, St. Paul enjoyed his family, especially when they were all together. He cherished all of his family-immediate and extended.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, St. Paul will be truly and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Vernice Hebert Bonin; son, Earl “Pookie” Bonin and wife Gale of St. Martinville; daughters, Paula Bonin Boggs of St. Martinville, Darlene Bonin Baker and husband Richard of Loreauville, Ellen Bonin Calvit and husband Neal of St. Martinville, and Kellie Bonin Douet and husband Dean of St. Martinville; brother, Lester “Boog” Bonin and wife Lillian; sister, Jeanette LeBlanc; grandchildren, Will Boggs, Christy Pleasant, Misty Punch, Alison Barras, Earl “Davy” Bonin Jr., Abigail Thomas, Abel-Paul Bonin, Caleb Bonin, Korie Arceneaux, Malorie Maturin, Mayo Baker, Taylor Douet, Abbie Douet and Logan Douet; 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Bonin and Eunice Bonin; brothers, Jessie Bonin, Joseph Bonin and Alvin Bonin; and sister, Ester Boutte.
Pallbearers were Will Boggs, Davy Bonin, Caleb Bonin, Abel-Paul Bonin, Caden Lasseigne and Gavyn Page.
Honorary pallbearers were Neal Calvit, Richard Baker, Dean Douet, Rob Barras and Sam Thomas.
To view the on-line obituary, video tribute, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Homes Inc. of St. Martinville was in charge of arrangements.