John "Poncho" Fontenot

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Mermentau, LA for John "Poncho" Fontenot, 70, who passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital in Lafayette, LA.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Matthews Funeral Home in Jennings, LA.

Visitation will continue Friday, December 12, 2025, from 8:00 AM until the time of service in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Mermentau, LA.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Matthews Funeral Home in Jennings, LA.

Reverend Ravi Jampangi will officiate the service.

Inurnment will be held at a later date in the LeBlanc Cemetery in Midland, LA.

Poncho was born on March 8, 1955, in Gueydan, LA and was a longtime resident of Mermentau, LA. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Poncho was a farmer by profession and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Mermentau, LA and spent many years helping the church.

Poncho is survived by his wife, Joyce Fontenot of Mermentau, LA; his two sons, Keith Istre of Mermentau, LA and Blane Martin; his two daughters, Emily Nicole Fruge (William) of Lacassine, LA and Katina Istre of Mermentau, LA; his brother, Glen Fontenot, Sr. (Judy) of Lake Arthur, LA; his two sisters, Sherly Babb (Norman) of Breaux Bridge, LA and Laura Landry of Gueydan, LA; his seven grandchildren; as well as his four great-grandchildren. Poncho was embraced by his siblings-in-law like one of their own, Wilson Istre (Becky) and Cindy Breaux.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence John Fontenot and Margret "Mim" Bourque; as well as his parents-in-law, Philip Balsimo and Mabel Chapman.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Matthews Funeral Home JENNINGS, 511 N Cutting Ave Jennings, LA 70546.