Kirl Bennie Juneau, 87, Bunkie

A Christian Funeral Mass for Kirl Bennie Juneau will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the KC – CDA Hall in Bunkie with Msgr. Stephen Scott Chemino officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home of Bunkie.
Mr. Juneau, age 87 of Bunkie, passed away on May 23, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his children and his faithful pup, Cheeto.
Bennie was born and raised in Cottonport, Louisiana and joined the Marine Corp at the age of 17. After completing boot camp at Paris Island NC, he was later stationed at Marine Barricks on 8th and I Street in Washington DC, attaining the rank of Sergeant. While there he guarded President Eisenhower at the White House and Camp David. Sgt Juneau was also a member of the Marine Corp Silent Drill Team and served as the “First Inspector” having developed the rifle inspection routine familiar all over the world. Bennie and Ethel were married in Washington DC, starting a family at just 21 years old. After 4 years in the Marine Corps, they returned home to Louisiana and Bennie soon graduated from NLU in Monroe with a degree in Pharmacy. City Drug Store in Bunkie was where you would find Bennie and Ethel for the next 50+ years. Bennie enjoyed his role advising and visiting with customers (often in French) becoming a loved and trusted member of the community. He lovingly raised his children, spent countless hours with friends on the Trek Bus, at the card table, and in the camp. Bennie had a great sense of humor, endlessly joking with friends, family, customers as well as those who cared for him in later years. He inspired his family and all around him with his courage and grateful nature.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ethel Lemoine Juneau; a son, Benjamin Christopher Juneau; a grandson, Noah James Riche’, as well as his parents Ben and Rose Tassin Juneau: and siblings, Joseph Juneau, Herbert Juneau, Phillip Juneau, Della Verne Juneau, Viola Thibodeaux, Olive Lemoine, and Marietta Guillory. Survivors include his children; Marc Spencer Juneau and wife Sylvie of Marbella, Spain, Jeff Juneau and wife Brenda of Bunkie, Susan Riche’ and husband Elliot of Madisonville, James Juneau and wife Cherie of New Orleans, and Julie Dunbar and husband David of Madisonville. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Special thanks to the compassionate nurses and staff of All Saint’s Hospice, as well as the kind caregivers whom he loved and cared for him so beautifully.
Friends and family may visit on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 at Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home, of Bunkie.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Anthony Church or Avoyelles Animal Welfare Society, 1170 Prison Road, Cottonport, LA 71327