James "Mahlen" Hebert

Kaplan—James “Mahlen” Hebert, 85, passed away on January 5, 2024, in his home, surrounded by family, in Kaplan, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held at Vincent Funeral Home in Kaplan, Louisiana at 1:00 PM on January 9, 2024. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, Louisiana, with Father David Hebert officiating the services.

Mahlen is survived by his beloved wife, Goldie DeMarcy Hebert, and their children: Katryna Hebert (Daniel), Robbin Hebert (David), Lucille "Dawn" Hebert Duhon, James "Jim" Hebert (Kristen), and Ritchie Hebert.

He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Jacob Hebert (Melanie), Danielle Hebert Ice (Talon), Rhyan Hebert, Brandi Hebert Cannon (Ace), Michael Prejean II (Hannah), Zachary Prejean (Kati), Zoe Hebert, and Erin Hebert.

Mahlen's great-grandchildren, Arabella, Amelia, Nathan, and Samuel Hebert; Jackson and Sophia Cannon; Emmy, Eli, and Ellen Prejean; Cecilia and Ila Prejean, brought immense joy to his life.

His sister, Joyce Hebert Sarver, is Mahlen’s last surviving sibling.

Mahlen was preceded in death by his parents Edvar and Alice Hebert, his brothers Mason Hebert, Sr., Theodore “Black” Hebert, and Rene “Hubert” Hebert, and sisters Mazie Hebert Lemaire, and Lula Mae Hebert Schexnider.

Mahlen was born August 30, 1938, to Edvar and Alice Hebert in Kaplan, Louisiana. He was the sixth child of seven siblings.

On January 20, 1962, Mahlen married the love of his life, Goldie DeMarcy Hebert. Together they built a family, raising five children with love and devotion: daughters Katryna Hebert, Robbin Hebert, Lucille Hebert Duhon, and sons James “Jim” Hebert II and Ritchie Hebert.

Years before creating a family of his own, on September 2, 1955, at the youthful age of seventeen, Mahlen enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After serving his country for four years in foreign lands and at sea, he was honorably discharged on August 26, 1959. He served two more years in the Naval Reserve out of New Orleans, Louisiana, until September 1, 1961.

Following his military service, Mahlen labored in construction and other various jobs until he began a fulfilling career as a professional firefighter. In 1965, he began at the Kaplan Fire Department where he saved countless lives and rose to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. In 1973, he hired on with the LSU Fireman Training Program and trained firefighters throughout South Louisiana. After 18.5 years at LSU, he retired from the program and worked at Ferrara Fire Apparatus. In 1995, he became the first St. Martin Parish Fire Coordinator where he coordinated all of the parish’s twelve volunteer fire departments, continuing to earn respect and admiration throughout the Louisiana fire service community.

As a family man, Mahlen exemplified duty and commitment. When he was not bravely fighting fires, he dedicated his time tirelessly working on the family farm and engaged in various side jobs. Mahlen was driven by profound love for his family. He sought to provide a good life for his children and ensured a secure home with a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and warm meals on the table. He was a giving father, even if he had to work long hours. His pride in his children was boundless.

As a husband, Mahlen adored his wife, Goldie. Just four months after meeting each other, they exchanged vows in matrimony. In the last few months of their sixty-two years of marriage, their vows remained honored as she faithfully cared for him to the end.

Mahlen was unwavering in his principles, marked by patience, understanding, quick wit, and a great sense of humor. A captivating storyteller, he never hesitated to impart valuable life lessons. Additionally, he loved to farm and was an expert crawfish farmer. Mahlen embodied the roles of an endearing and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A reliable and supportive friend, he was someone on whom you could always depend.

James Mahlen Hebert will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love, wisdom, hard work, and kindness will be forever cherished.

Serving as pallbearers will be James Hebert II, Ritchie Hebert, Rhyan Hebert, Michael Prejean II, Zachary Prejean, and Jacob Hebert.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 9:30 AM until 1:00 PM when the services begin with a rosary being prayed at 10:30 AM.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana who provided them with support and compassion. A special thank you to nurses Natalie, Kristen, Melanie, Amy, and Seth.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Acadiana, https://www.hospiceacadiana.com/donate, an organization that saw him and his family through his final days.