2019 in a local hospital. Melvern was born in Iota, Louisiana on February 12, 1926 to the late Felix and
Artile Bergeron. He graduated from Bell City High School. In 1943, at the age of 17, Melvern
volunteered to serve in the US Navy. After training in San Diego, California, and training to pilot
amphibious landing craft on Coronado Island, he was assigned to Standard Landing Craft Unit 38, Group
Pacific 11. In February of 1944, his training complete, his unit was shipped to his first duty assignment
supporting operations for the capture of the Japanese at Iwo Jima. He served on the island until the end
of the war. Devoted to his shipmates and their families, Melvern and Eta hosted two reunions of SLCU
38 in Sulphur and traveled across the country to attend reunions hosted by their friends.
He worked for Gulf States Utilities for 35 years. He was a member of the Sulphur American Legion for 53
years and a lifetime member of the VFW. Melvern volunteered for twenty years for the West Calcasieu
Cameron Hospital Auxiliary, working as he jokingly referred to as a “Pink Lady.” He and his wife, Eta,
were the first elected King and Queen of the Krewe of Cosmos in 1971.
Melvern is survived by two sisters, Elverna Pichadou and Janel Bergeron; numerous nieces and
nephews; and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Eta, and his
four nieces Lana Marie Bergeron, Deidre Bergeron Sokol, Carolyn Pichadou Moore, and Deanna
Bergeron.
His service will be held at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church in Sulphur, LA on Monday February
25,2019 at 2:00 p.m. The Rev. Andrews Kollannoor, M.S., will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn
Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, February 24, 2019., with a rosary service at 5 p.m. at
Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made
to the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Auxiliary. The family expresses their grateful appreciation for
the compassion and care shown to Melvern by his caregivers Glenda Meche Truett and Dot Lyons , Dr.
Maureen Lannan, and to the nurses and staff at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital and Heart of Hospice.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
