H. Michael "Mike" Viator

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, H. Michael “Slim” Viator, 62, of New Iberia, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his home on December 18, 2012, after his long battle with pancreatic cancer. Pop, as his grandchildren affectionately called him, will be missed by his family and friends. Truly blessed, Pop enjoyed his last Thanksgiving Day surrounded by his 9 children and 18 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home, New Iberia, Louisiana, from 1 pm to 10 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012, with a Rosary at 7pm. Visitation will continue at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church on Friday, December 21, 2012, from 8 am until Mass of Christian burial at 11 am. Celebrant of the Mass will be Father Barry Crochet of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church. Burial will follow the service at Holy Family Mausoleum.

Mike was born in New Iberia on February 1, 1950. A lifelong resident of Iberia Parish, Mike graduated from Catholic High School and attended USL while operating the family dairy farm in Coteau. Mike served in the Army National Guard for six years before being honorably discharged. In between ballgames and horse shows, Mike worked for Commercial Tire for nearly 25 years before opening his own consulting business and automotive mechanic shop, VCI Automotive, Inc. Mike also worked as an instructor at La Technical College before his diagnosis in June of 2010.

Those who knew Mike, knew a man of unwavering faith and devotion to his family and church. In addition to ensuring that all of his children attained a catholic education, Mike was the proud recipient of the Bishop Service Award for his 33 years of service as a Catechism instructor and devotion to various ministries: Right to Life Along the Teche, Prison Ministries, Theology of the Body Sessions, and Bereavement Group at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church. Mike also made Cursillio Retreat 128 (St. James Table) and participated as a youth leader in Cursillios for over ten years.

Pop is survived by his wife of 26 years, Regina Gonsoulin Viator; his children, Dawn Reed and husband, Kenny, Niki Whitman and husband, John, John Allain Viator and wife, Jennifer, Dr. Timothy Allain Viator and wife, Virginia, Christina Otwell and husband, John, Keri Viator, Paul Michael Viator and wife, Lacey, William Joseph Viator, and Elizabeth Viator; 18 grandchildren; brothers, John Brutus Viator, Jr., James Markham Viator, and Robert Paul Viator; mother-in-law, Willa Bertlesman, brother-in-law, Bernie Bertlesman, and sister-in-law, Karen Bertlesman; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Allain; and other family and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Enola Markham Viator, father, John Brutus Viator Sr., sister, Lucille Katherine Viator, first wife, Bonnie H. Viator, father-in-law, Eugene A. Bertelsman, mother-in-law, Rita Gonsoulin, and father-in-law, Russell Gonsoulin.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Allain Viator, Dr. Timothy Allain Viator, Paul Michael Viator, William Joseph Viator, Charles Kibbe and Hawley Gary. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Eric White, Lynn Thompkins, Mac Viator, Louis Altazan, Bob Faulk and Members of the Iberia Garage Association.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to DesOrmeaux Foundation, 1331 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501, www.DesOrmeauxFoundation.com or the Iberia Pregnancy Center, P.O. Box 10042, New Iberia, LA 70562-0042, www.iberiapregnancycenter.com . The family of H. Michael Viator wishes special thanks to Dr. Jason Breaux, Louisiana Oncology Associates, Pancreatic Cancer Society, Lydia Cancer Society, John Hopkins Hospital, First Options Home Care, Heart of Hospice (especially nurse, Allison Cantrell), Chelsea Michael with John Hopkins, Karen Bertlesman, Dr. Jason Morvant, Dr. Simpson, Dr. Carl Ditch, Dawn Bourque, Christy Guidry and all others who had a role in Pop’s care.

Rest in peace Pop.

To view on-line obituary, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.