LOUIS SKLAR JR.

1939- 2023

Louis Edward “Sonny” Sklar Jr. of Natchitoches passed away peacefully in his home on Monday March 27, 2023 at the age of 83 following a brief battle with cancer.

Sonny was born on Aug. 16, 1939 in Sealy, TX to Louis E. Sklar and Agnes Brandl Sklar. He moved to Louisiana in 1955 and began to pursue his dream of being a cattle rancher and commission order buyer.

On March 19, 1966 Sonny married Tommie Sue Scott of Natchitoches.

Sonny was recognized for serving as a Board Member of Natchitoches Parish Farm Bureau for 42 years. He faithfully helped at the Knights of Columbus Bingo for over two decades and was a member of Council 1357. Sonny was a Sacristan and Altar Server for the Daily Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for 12 years. Sonny was an avid supporter of St. Mary’s Catholic School and enjoyed attending sporting events to see his grandchildren. An avid reader and amateur historian, Sonny loved military history with an emphasis on the study of the Civil War.

He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Agnes Sklar and his brother Robert John Sklar.

Sonny is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Sue Sklar. His children Reverend Louis E. Sklar III, Elizabeth Sklar Governale and husband Dr. Nick Governale, Joseph Paul Sklar and wife Krista Colston Sklar and grandchildren Theresea-Anne Governale, Lily Anna Sklar, Joseph Paul Sklar, Jr. and Jenna Claire Sklar.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches. Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on March 30 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 12:30 p.m.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Ronald Dale “Peppy” Smith, Dr. Kent Hare, Steven A. Verzwyvelt, Jr., James L. Pearson, Jr., John Scott, and Gary DeBlieux. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Dick Stalling, Bennie Peek, Ray Ponthieux, Ned Henry, Knights of Columbus Council 1357, and members of the Walter P. Ledet Coffee Club.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School or The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.