Joseph "Joe" Schexneider

Leonville- A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph “Joe’ Schexneider will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Leonville, LA.  Rev. Fr. Darren Eldridge will celebrate the Mass.  Rite of Committal and interment will follow in the St. Leo Cemetery Mausoleum in Leonville, LA.

Joseph C. Schexneider, lovingly known as “Joe” to his family and friends, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, at the age of 66. He was born on November 29, 1957, in Opelousas, Louisiana.   He was a longtime resident of Leonville and a parishioner of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.  

Joe had a remarkable career in the oilfield industry. His expertise and dedication made him an invaluable asset to the companies he worked with. Throughout his career, he demonstrated unwavering professionalism and a strong work ethic that earned him the respect of his colleagues. Joe met many people throughout his life by way of his employment.  Joe worked his way up in 1978 from a floor hand, company man, to consultant worker on the oil rigs until this retirement in 2018.  He made many lasting friendships throughout those years.

Joe possessed a deep passion for nature and the outdoors. The happiest moments of his life were spent hunting in the wild and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. He was an avid hunter and spent many days and nights at the One Eye Hunting Club.  There wasn’t a wild game that he didn’t love to hunt which included: deer, rabbit, squirrel, doves, and turtles.  If it flew, crawled, swam or ran, he hunted it.  His passion for hunting lead him to share his bounty with others.  He always had a pack of game meat to share with friends and family.  His homemade sausage was some of the best around.  He had a small farm where he raised numerous animals and enjoyed spending quality time with them. Gardening was also one of his cherished hobbies that allowed him to nurture and witness the growth of beautiful plants, fruits, and vegetables.  

Joe was widely admired for his warm personality and kind heart. He always had a smile on his face and a genuine concern for others' well-being. His generous spirit knew no bounds, as he selflessly offered his help whenever someone was in need. He was a great friend to many.  Always willing and ready to lend a hand when one of them needed.  He loved his family and always knew how to make them laugh as he was the jokester.

Joe's memory will forever be cherished by his family and friends. He has an unwavering love for his children and grandchildren.  From a very young age, as with his children, he had the grandkids in the woods teaching them how to hunt and how to survive off the land.  His passion for hunting overflowed with joy when his children and grandchildren harvested a deer, rabbit, squirrel, or fish.  He would brag to anyone who would listen. 

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Christine “Tina” Williams Schexneider of Leonville; two sons, Logan Schexneider and Seth Schexneider, both of Leonville; two daughters, Bredana S. Baker and husband, Matthew “Matt” of Ville Platte; and Brittany Schexneider of Monroe; four grandchildren: Emily Hooks, Kylan Broussard, Rhemi Broussard, and Alivia Broussard; grandchild of the heart, Kirsten Daville; one brother, Russell Schexneider of Port Barre; four sisters, Melinda Allemond and husband, Onezime of Port Barre; Helen Theriot of Opelousas; Betty Provost of Opelousas; and Margaret Beard and husband, Michael of Opelousas; two brothers-in-law, Robert Williams and wife, Dawn of Texas; and Harry Williams and wife, Tracy of Livonia; three sisters-in-law, Carol Langlois and husband, Lionel of New Roads; Kathleen Williams of New Roads; and Katherine Williams of New Roads; four godchildren: Trina Ortego, Jules Robin, and Chad Quebedeaux, and Sarah Marks; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred Schexneider and Lovenia Hebert Schexneider; sister, Linda Robin; grandson, Justin P. Broussard; father-in-law, Harry Williams; paternal grandparents, Clobule Schexneider and Helena M. Trahan Schexneider; maternal grandparents, Joseph Wolf Hebert and Louise Gary Hebert; mother-in-law, Mary Lou Breaux Williams; sister-in-law, Judy Schexneider; and brother-in-law, Bobby Theriot.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024, in the Skip Montet Chapel at LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 PM.  A Rosary service will be prayed at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home.   

Pallbearers will Wallace “Bubba” Fontenot, Jordan Moore, Matthew “Matt” Provost, Logan Schexneider, Seth Schexneider, and David Lagrange. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Marks and Harry Williams.

May his gentle spirit find eternal peace. 

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.   Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.