RYNELLA — A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008, at St. Marcellus Catholic Church for Johnny Hite, 72 who died Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in Lafayette.

Entombment will follow in Holy Family Mausoleum with full military honors.

The Rev. Donovan Labbe will be the Celebrant. Readers will be Tammy Picard and Dolores Boutte. Gift Bearers will be Bryan Picard, Payton Dockery Faulk and Kimberly Thibodeaux.

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A native of Searcy, Ark., Johnny lived most of his life in New Iberia. A retired homebuilder and retired veteran of the United States Navy, Johnny proudly served his country for 20 years. He was a past Commander of Veterans of Foreign War Post 1982 and past 4th District Commander of Veterans of Foreign War. He was a member of the American Legion Post 365. He was also a past member of the National Aide De Camp and MOCA. He served as a board member with the Council on Aging and Christmas in April. Johnny enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, being with friends and volunteering with the VFW and American Legion Bingo. His greatest joy was caring for and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Wilda Landry Hite of New Iberia; his sons, Donald W. Hite and wife Brenda of New Iberia, Steven G. Hite and wife Sharon of Romance, Ark., Paul G. Hite and wife Sandy of Pleasant Plains, Ark.; his daughter, Patricia Dockery of New Iberia; his brother, William “Bill” Hite of Crosby, Ark.; sisters, Marie Morris of Kensett, Ark., Shirley Fern Knox of Judsonia, Ark., Sandy Gumm and husband Fred of Mineola, N.Y.; grandchildren, Crystal Dockery, Brittany Menard and Dalayna Rose Hite of New Iberia, Brandy Hite and Becky Holder of Pleasant Plains, Ark., Nicole and Kyle Hite of Little Rock, Arkansas; great grandchildren, Payton Dockery Faulk and Railyn Dockery Lemaire of Erath, Samuel and Kennedie Holder of Pleasant Plains, Ark., sister in law, Rita Clark of New Iberia; brother in law, Arthur Landry, Sr. of New Iberia; godchildren, Tina Tenney, Danny Breaux, Art Landry, Jr. and Helen Landry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmitte and Effie Garrard Hite; sister, Odean Bradney; father in law Sosthene Landry and wife Electa Benoit Landry; brother in law, William “Pete” and wife Dorothy Landry.

Pallbearers will be Donald Hite, Art Landry, Jr., Steven Hite, Wayne Thibodeaux, Terry Darby and Tom Landry.

Honorary pallbearers include the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1982 and Auxiliary members and also the American Legion Post 365 and Auxiliary members.

A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, from 1:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. VFW and American Legion Rituals will begin at 6:45 p.m. with a rosary to follow. Visitation will continue Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

To view on-line obituary, Video Tribute and sign guestbook, go to  www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, 365-3331, is in charge of arrangements.