Funeral services for Joseph D. Elder Jr. of Marksville will take place at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Hessmer on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, beginning at 10 a.m. Visitations will be held at the Escudé Funeral Home of Mansura on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Visitations will then resume Saturday at 8 a.m. Burial services will be held by the family in private.

Joseph, 65, passed away at The Methodist Hospital System of Houston on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. He founded, owned and operated Elder Wood Preserving Co. Inc. in Mansura since 1976. He was a member of many civic and community organizations. He believed that it was his duty to give back to God and his community. Joe was also very active in his industry. He was both a member and/or board member of the Southern Forest Products Association, the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, The Treated Wood Council, and many other organizations.

He was named the 2008 Avoyellean of the Year by The Avoyelles Journal. His enduring commitment to education was expressed through multiple annual generous donations to the Avoyelles Parish School Board for funding grants to Avoyelles Parish teachers and to Avoyelles High School for special projects. Every year, Mr. Elder also gave generous donations to several local churches, the Boy Scouts, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and to the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura. He also made donations to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to build duck blinds and deer stands for the LDWF’s Youth and Physically Challenged Hunting Programs. LDWF constructed 19 wheelchair-accessible deer stands on five wildlife management areas throughout the state and a handful of wheelchair accessible duck blinds on four wildlife management areas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Elder Sr. and Frankie Wyble Elder.

He is survived by his children, Stephen Douglas Elder, Laurie Joleen Elder Raborn and her husband Barry Raborn, Chad York Elder, and Joe Elder II; his grandchildren, Mackinley Elder, Landon Elder, Lucia Raborn, Eva Raborn, Isabella Elder, and Ayden Elder; brothers and sisters, Jo Anna Elder Boland, James Donald Elder and wife Clara Jean Elder, Edna Helen Elder Brown, and his twin brother Francis Dwight Elder and wife Mary Veillon Elder; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, it was Mr. Elder’s request that donations be made to the Joseph D. Elder Jr. Scholarship Fund, Avoyelles High School, 287 Main St., Moreauville, LA 71355.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Escudé Funeral Home.