New Iberia- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mr. Claude Joseph Vaughn, age 91, on Tuesday February 4, 2014 at 10:00am at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church with Father Edward Duhon to serve as the Celebrant. Interment will follow at Nativity of Our Lady Mausoleum. Visitation will begin on Monday February 3, 2014 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00pm. Visitation will resume on Tuesday February 4, 2014 from 8:00am until funeral time. A native of Loreauville, and lifelong resident of New Iberia, Mr. Vaughn passed away on Saturday February 1, 2014 at 7:15pm at his daughters residence in St. Martinville. Mr. Vaughn was the owner and operator of Claude Vaughn Building Contractor, a business started by ordering a simple tool kit from his grandfathers Sears catalog. He was a self educated building contractor and ran his business for 55 years. Throughout the years he built many homes and businesses in Iberia Parish and the surrounding area. One of Mr. Vaughns greatest achievements was his construction of Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church. During construction, Nativity parishioners used his warehouse to hold Mass until the church was finished in 1970. In his free time Mr. Vaughn was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed playing cards, going to the casino, watching sports and westerns, and tending to his garden. Mr. Vaughn is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mazel Melancon Vaughn of New Iberia; daughters, Marietta Cormier and husband Rodney Rock of New Iberia, Jackie Berard and husband Autry Sr. of New Iberia; grandchildren, Claudette Berard, Autry Berard II, and Mandy Cormier all of New Iberia; great grandchildren, Stephanie Domingue and companion Matthew Powers of Lafayette, Paige Weaver and Desi Cormier both of New Iberia; great great grandchildren, Jonathan and Kaylee Powers of Lafayette; brothers, Allen Vaughn and wife Nell of Loreauville, Gerald Vaughn of Loreauville; and sister, Irene Breaux of Port Arthur, Tx. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Naomie Bonin Vaughn; great grandson, Stephen Berard; brothers, Gilman and Ronald Vaughn; and sisters, Eve Plessela and Della Melancon. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Autry Berard Sr., Autry Berard II, Mike Kimble, Barney Hebert, Marcell Hebert, and Rodney Rock Cormier. The family would like to thank Paramount Hospice, Acadian Ambulance for their care and compassion, and Dr. George Cousin for his years of care and service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Vaughns name can be made to Catholic High of New Iberia, and Angel Paws Adoption Center, 1314 Troy Road New Iberia, LA 70563. David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337)369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
