Henri Clay Bienvenu

St. Martinville- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at St. Martin De Tours Catholic Church for Henri Clay Bienvenu, 82, who died on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Iberia Medical Center surrounded by his family.

A visitation will take place at Pellerin funeral home in St. Martinville on Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. until time of service on Saturday. A eulogy will be delivered by Paul Hardy at 6:00 p.m. and a rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

Father Vidrine will officiate at the funeral Mass.  Readers will be Mary, Elizabeth, and Victoria Hebert, and Isabella Domino.  Pall bearers will be Gerard Bienvenu, Leroy Domino, Brent Hebert, Shane Bennett, Ian Knemeyer, Jerome Broussard, Brian Fabre and Patrick Bienvenu. Honorary pall bearers will be Fred Bienvenu, Reuben Bienvenu, Butch Thornton, Paul Hardy, Ben Landry, and his eight grandsons.

Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Henri Clay was born on September 21, 1941, and raised in St. Martinville. He was a graduate of St. Martin High School and USL. He served honorably in the U.S. Army becoming an artillery officer, was a member of the Jaycees, the Rotary Club, and the Louisiana Press Association, serving as president of each. He also was a member of the State Parks and Recreation Commission and began “Neighbors in Need.” He was the editor/publisher of the Teche News Newspaper for most of his life and although he “retired” in 2007 continued working and being an active part of the newspaper up until his death.

Henri is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maria Comeaux Bienvenu; son Gerard M. Bienvenu (Lori), daughters, Catherine Knemeyer(Ian), Therese Bennett(Shane Sr.), Monique Domino(Leroy), and Suzanne Hebert(Dr. Brent Hebert); 19 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; siblings Marcelle Bienvenu Lasserre and Bruce Bienvenu.

He is preceded in death by his father, Marcel “Blackie” Bienvenu; mother, Rhena Broussard Bienvenu, and sister, Edna Bienvenu Landry. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Community of Jesus Crucified, 103 Railroad Avenue, St. Martinville, LA 70582.

Pellerin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.