Nick Leblanc

Nicholas “Nick” LeBlanc, of Iuka, passed from this life on Thursday, January 21, 2016, peacefully after 97 years of abundant living at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis. Born in Lafayette, LA, on August 16, 1918, to Ernest and Helene Montet LeBlanc, Nick was a U. S. Army veteran of WWII, having served from 1941 – 1945 in Germany with the 87th Infantry Division, 347th Infantry. Following his recovery from two bullet wounds while fighting on the front lines in Germany, he was assigned to drive a truck transporting supplies from Germany to Paris because he was the only one in his division who spoke fluent French. His experiences during WWII were profound and lasting. Even as he witnessed devastation and death all around him, the inquisitive Cajun boy from Louisiana reveled in the sights and culture of Europe. Following the war, Nick returned to Louisiana and drove a bus for Greyhound Bus Lines from New Orleans to Meridian, MS, where he met and married Merle Rushing, his cherished wife of sixty-six years. They moved from New Orleans to Monett, MO, and he worked at his brother-in-law’s trucking company. In 1963 Nick and his family moved to Iuka, and that became his home for over fifty years. He worked for a short time building homes with Jones Construction Co. He later accepted a job at Grisham’s Men’s Clothing Store where he was not only a salesman, but also a tailor. He grew up with three sisters who sewed for a living. When Western Auto opened in Iuka, Nick began working there fixing and repairing just about anything until his retirement. He loved sharing with friends his French heritage, especially sharing his Cajun recipes. Cooking Cajun meals, fishing, listening to Zydeco music, and Justin Wilson jokes were some of his favorite pastimes. Nick loved his family, loved life, and was a member of the Iuka United Methodist Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 23, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka, officiated by Rev. Kerry Powell. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers include Carol Ray Tuckier, Ralph Glover, David Ball, Ethan Brooks, Andy Brooks, and Earl Harless. Honorary pallbearers include V. W. and Earline Grisham, Leon and Norma Hilton, Austin Ball, and Frank Rountree. Visitation is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home on Saturday. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. He is survived by his son, Ron LeBlanc (Marsha) of Amory; two daughters, Paula LeBlanc of Cordova, TN, and Helena LeBlanc on Iuka; eight grandchildren, Bryan, Cory, Nicholas, Jared, and Dana LeBlanc, Roxanne Beal, and Andy and Pauline Brooks; nine great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Merle Rushing LeBlanc; two sons, Richard James and Joseph Carroll LeBlanc; three sisters, Ada Bernard, Bell Broussard, and Marie David; and one great-grandson, Ryan Guilbeau. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iuka United Methodist Church. Although we have lost our precious father, the light he radiated can never be extinguished.