" I have closed my eyes and fell asleep For my father has called, now please do not weep."

    Mass of Christian Burial honoring Herman Pelican, 96, will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11 o’clock a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Jose Vattakunnel will officiate. Herman will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Elton, LA immediately following his services.

    Herman’s family will receive friends and visitors at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday morning, October 17, 2026, from 9 o’clock a.m. until time of service with the recitation of the Holy rosary at 10:15 a.m. All of Herman’s arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Kinder.

    Herman was born in Opelousas, Louisiana to the late Leola and Morris Pelican. He was the eldest of six children born to this union. Herman enlisted in the United States Army at an early age and achieved the ranking of Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. He earned W/4 Bronze Service Stars, UN Service Medal and Korean Service Medal prior to his honorable discharge. He received his high school diploma from Carver High School in Kinder, La. and he completed state certifications in security and law enforcement.

    For over seventy years, Herman was married to Emma Lee Bellard Pelican. Emma was a loving wife and she cared for Herman until his death. There were two children born to this union: Kenneth Dale Pelican and Cathy Jane Pelican. Herman was a bus driver for Allen Parish Schools for 40 years and he also worked for the Allen Parish Sheriff's Department in Oberlin, La. He had a strong work ethic and often took odd jobs during summer months. For many years, Herman was the Scout Leader for Troop 92 of the Boy Scouts of America at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elton, La. He enjoyed hiking outdoors and fishing. Herman loved to talk about the military and his love of baseball to anyone who would listen to him. He had strong opinions on both topics. Herman was a faithful member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elton, La. for many decades. He attended mass on a weekly basis until his health would not allow him to do so.

     To cherish his memories, he leaves his very devoted wife, Emma Lee; his loving daughter: Cathy Pelican Forest (Jerome); three grandchildren: C.J. Forest (Rachel), Leah Nicole Forest and Shena Minor; ten great grandchildren; Friends, Gabriel Woods and Harold Davis; and a host of family members and friends throughout the community.

    Herman is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Leola Pelican; one son, Kenneth Pelican; three brothers, Arden, Warren, and Elwin Pelican; three sisters, Marie Denton, Leona Woods, and Abel Robinson.

Acknowledgements

    A special thank you to "Above and Beyond Home Care" of Lake Charles, Louisiana for providing care to Mr. Pelican until his death. Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair, perhaps you sent a floral piece, if so, we saw it there. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much. May God abundantly bless each of you.

     Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with Herman’s family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.