John Joseph ‘Johnny’ Ardoin
A Mass of Christian burial was held at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church for John Joseph “Johnny” Ardoin, 91, of Jennings on Monday, July 30, 2018, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Jeff Starkovich officiating.
A gathering of family and friends was held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home beginning on Sunday, July 29, from 2-8 p.m., with a rosary recited at 6 p.m. The family requested that visitation resume on Monday, July 30, from 8 a.m. until the time of his funeral Mass at 11 a.m..
Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery.
Johnny was born in Elton on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1926, to Valcour Ardoin and Theotise Fontenot Ardoin and moved to Jennings in November of 1938. He was called from his earthly life on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
Johnny served our country honorably in the United States Army. Private First Class John Ardoin was inducted into the United States Army in New Orleans on Feb. 20, 1945. During his basic training, he earned the distinction as “Rifle Sharpshooter” on Sept. 1, 1945, Johnny boarded a U.S. troop ship bound for the Philippine Islands as part of the war operations effort to eradicate the Japanese enemy from the Islands. Upon his arrival in the Philippine Islands on Sept. 30, 1945, he was assigned to the 3040th car company. During his time there, he transported valued equipment, supplies and combat troops to strategic locations in direct support of combat operations against members of the Japanese Imperial Forces. Private John Ardoin was consistent, dependable and accurately carried out all responsibilities assigned to him to a successful conclusion. Johnny returned to the United States on Oct. 27, 1946. Before his honorable separation from the Army at Fort Sam Houston on Dec. 18, 1946, Private John Ardoin was commended with several awards and decorations including the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Army Occupation Ribbon, (Japan) Victory Ribbon and 2 Overseas Service Bars. Johnny re-enlisted with the Air Force for a second tour of duty. After his service to our country, Johnny worked for Shell Oil until his retirement in 1986, a job in which he loved. Johnny was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the VFW and the Woodmen of the World, as well as a faithful and active member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church. He was dedicated to and spent all of this spare time focused on his family. His nephews and nieces all knew that they could count on their Uncle Johnny to be at the dinner table every Sunday. Family meals always started with serving their Uncle Johnny first and they knew it was dessert time when Uncle Johnny broke out the sweets for dessert. As Johnny’s family grew with great and great great nephews and nieces, he was always committed to contributing to his large extended family by making their lives better. Johnny was a very generous man. He was a collector of many items among them were memorable coins. With all of the items he collected, he eventually gave them to the ones closest to his heart, his nephews and nieces. Johnny was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Johnny leaves to cherish his memories his sister, Betty (Elery) LeGros of Jennings; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as many extended family members.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Valcour and Theotise Ardoin; his two brothers, Morris Ardoin and Bobby Ardoin; and his four sisters, Alice Rhodes, Effie Darbonne, Ellen Manuel and Evelyn Ardoin.
Carrying Johnny to his final resting place in Calvary Cemetery will be his nephews, Victor Darbonne, Sidney Manuel, Bernan A. Theunissen, Jr., Carter Ardoin, Brian LeGros, Andrew LeGros, Phillip LeGros, Robert LeGros and Aaron LeBlanc.
To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.