A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mr. Joseph Merl Metoyer Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Isle Brevelle, at 10:30 a. m. with burial following in the Churchs Cemetery. Visitation will be convened at the Winnfield Funeral Home of Natchitoches Chapel Saturday from 8:00 a. m. to 9:15 a. m. Rosary will follow the period of visitation just prior to departure from the funeral home for the Church. Joseph Merle Metoyer was born on April, 26, 1940 to Merline Sarpy. His biological father was Joel Metoyer. Merline died giving birth to Joe and he was raised from an infant by Franklin and Beatrice Sarpy Sylvia. Joe grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana along with his five brothers, Franklin Jr., Rocky, Phillip, Chris, Gerard and one sister, Virginia. Like most children of families from Cane River Joe Merle attended Saint James High School. After high school he worked various jobs and in 1958 he met Catherine Morgan whom he later married. Three children were born of this union; Cassandra, Sheila and Greg. Life had a different path for Joe and Catherine and Joe eventually formed a new relationship with Pearlie that yielded him another daughter, Jo Ann. After a period of time Joe journeyed to Brooklyn, New York where he met his second wife of 40 years, Drucilla Yvonne Huffin. Through this second marriage he gained another son, Marvin and three step sons, Wilfred, Christopher and Derrick. Joe was always curious about his families' lineage and it led him back to his birth father Joel and his wife Velma. Here he formed a very strong sibling bond with his sisters Mary and Geraldine. Joe also discovered he had two other sisters, Louise Sarpy Metoyer and Evelyn Metoyer. His affection for Louise was evident by his frequent visits whenever he was home. Evelyn lives in California and he kept in touch with her. Joe was also especially close to 'Lou' Sarpy Metoyer, whom he viewed more sister than Aunt. In Houston, also loved by Papa Joe were Catherines children, Andrea, Judy and Pat along with lifelong sis Donna. When he wasn't spending time with family in Brooklyn he would vacation to Texas and Louisiana to be near his children, Mama, Daddy, brothers and sisters. Along with his love of family Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing. He would fish in the Gulf near Houston and hunt the woods of Texas and Louisiana. He loved sharing his experiences and memories of his children with others. The stories were laced with wonderful and heartfelt moments that he cherished. His family meant everything to him. Joe Merle was preceded in death by his birth mother Merline, his father, Franklin Sylvia, Joel and Velma Metoyer and one son, Derrick. He is survived by his wife, Mother, Beatrice, eleven children, five sisters, five brothers, sixteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Merl Metoyer, please visit our floral store.