A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Eldridge Joseph Hance will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Oberlin with MSGR Charles J. Dubois and Deacon Norris Chapman officiating. Entombment will follow in the Oberlin Cemetery Mausoleum under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oberlin.

Mr. Hance, 88, of Moss Bluff, formerly of Oberlin, entered eternal rest on Sunday, April 29, 2012 in his residence. He was born on November 17, 1923 in Oberlin.

Eldridge was a World War II Navy Veteran and served on the LSM Supply Carrier. After returning from the war, he and Mary ran a pressing shop. He served as a Veteran Service Officer for seven years before becoming Allen Parish Tax Assessor for thirty-two years. Eldridge served on several committees and held offices for the Louisiana Assessors Association. He represented Allen Parish well by becoming the President of the Louisiana Assessor Association.

He attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for most of his life, serving as lecture, Minister of Communion, usher and a member of the Parish Counsel. He also served as Minister of Communion for the Oberlin Nursing Home and trustee of the church. His last three years of life he attended St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Moss Bluff.

Eldridge served as Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America in his younger days, helping young men become leaders. As a member of the Oberlin American Legion Post and Woodman of the World, he devoted his life to serving people in whatever capacity he held.

After retirement E. J.’s favorite past-times were fishing with his wife, Mary, at Bundick’s Lake and playing many friendly games of golf with his buddies.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Mary D. Hance; his parents, Agnes Marcantel Hance and Wade Hance; his step-father, John David and one sister, Victoria Bourque.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include his daughter, Anne Louise Hance Guidry and her husband, Bobby; the light of his life, grandson, Michael Hance Guidry along with his extended family, Abel Guidry and his wife, Shelley and children Emmy, Reese and Ryleigh; his sister, Ava Lee Vinning and her husband, Woodzay; one brother, John David and his wife, Nadine and brother-in-law, J. B. Bourque.

Pallbearers will be Michael Hance Guidry, Ben Lofton, Abel Guidry, Jason Katcher, Tom Germany and Paul Vinning. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. David Vinning and Wade Bourque.

Friends may call at Rush Funeral Home, Oberlin on Monday, April 30, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. until departure for St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for 11:00 a.m. services.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Christus St. Patrick’s staff and hospice, Dr. Michael Turner and his nurse practitioner, Anna Landry, Dr. James Gaharan, Dr. Abul Shaumont and caretaker, Vanessa McDaniel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.

Friends may post online messages of condolence for the Hance family by visiting www.rushfh.com