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Richard John "RJ" Eiswirth, Jr., a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away peacefully at 1:55 Sunday morning, August 3, 2014 at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. He was born October 29, 1915 in New Orleans, LA to the late Richard John and Violet Schmitt Eiswirth. He was 98 at the time of his death. He was a kind, loving man and made his family a priority. He was the first Catholic High football player to be named to All-State. He retired from Ethyl Corporation where he was active in the Ethyl Management Club serving many years as an officer and traveling to other locations as a guest speaker. He met his beloved wife of 74 years, Doris Cecile Hanks at the first Walgreens Drugstore in Baton Rouge where she was working. They married on February 15, 1939 at Sacred Heart Church in Baton Rouge. He was a founding member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish where he helped to assemble the original church compound with buildings moved from Harding Field. For the last 11 years he lived at Lake Sherwood Village where he participated in many activities including sing a longs, Mardi Gras parades, dances and was a member of the performing Bell Choir. He is survived by one sister, Ruth Brown of Baton Rouge, LA, five children, Nancy Heller and husband Herb of Alexandria, LA, Judith Shellabarger and husband Jim of Rosharon, TX, John Eiswirth and wife JoAnn, of Gonzales, LA, Susan Schlecht of Brusly, LA, and Mary Beth Russell and husband Gary of Brusly, LA, thirteen grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Doris, parents, Richard and Violet, six siblings, Floyd, Francis, Clement, and Ralph Eiswirth, Mary Clare Browning, and Eloise Braud and one grandchild, Davy Schlecht. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM and on Thursday, August 7, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial conducted by Father Cleo Milano at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park, Baton Rouge. Pallbearers are grandsons Bert Heller, John D. Eiswirth, Richard Schlecht, Jacob Schlecht, Michael Russell, and nephews Clement Eiswirth, Jr. and Kenneth Eiswirth. Granddaughters Pam Griffith, Jennifer deFrances, Laura Schlecht, Jackie Tisdell, Claire Schlecht, Elena Cannon, Sarah Russell, and Kacie Russell will honor their grandfather by participating in the Celebration of the Funeral Mass. The family would like to thank Lake Sherwood Village for providing a wonderful environment during the golden years of his life. They would also like to thank Dr. Douglas Say and Dr. John McLachlan for the excellent care they gave him. Lastly, the family would like to thank Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center Heart and Vascular institute staff for the loving care they gave him during his stay. Visit the online guest book at www.rabenhorst.com.
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Remember him as a patient man, friendly to all and faithful to God....loving husband, father, grandfather and loved by all. Sympathy and prayers of comfort for all of the family.
Catherine Griffith
Catherine Griffith
Friend
July 29, 2020
Susan, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I hope you find peace knowing you will meet again. He will always be with you, he is a part of you, God bless you and take care.
The Olano's
August 13, 2014
Uncle RJ was a wonderful and kind man. He will be greatly missed. I'm sorry I can't be there with the family. Love you all.
Debbie Smith
August 7, 2014
Our best wishes and prayers go out to the family of Dick Eiswirth.
from David D Johnson
David D Johnson
August 6, 2014
Since I first met him in about 1957,He was a man I admired and wanted to be like. A gentle, kind, generous man who loved his family with every ounce of his being and who put up with and made welcome a rascally boy who came to date his daughters. The World is much richer for having R.J. and Doris Eiswirth and the wonderful family they produced. I will love their memory and their children for the rest of my life.
Louis Fought
August 6, 2014
John and JoAnn,
Al and I send our deepest condolences. John, your father had to be an amazing role model...it is evident by the family that followed. God bless you and all your family.
Mary Demarest
August 5, 2014
So sorry for your loss
Glenora Purvis
August 5, 2014
So sorry to hear of RJ's death. All of you are in my prayers.
Jane Conley
August 5, 2014
Nancy,Judy, John , Susan and Marybeth
So sorry for your loss.
Sincerely
Gwen Conley Bizette
August 5, 2014
My sincerest condolences to the family. I always thought highly of RJ. It pains me deeply that I will not be able to get down there in time to see him one last time and to reconnect with the "kids."
Bill Conley
August 5, 2014
Mr. Eiswirth was a kind gentle man that put his family & faith above all else. He was always welcoming to me when I visited with his grandchildren and I will never forget his kind smile.
Elizabeth Luebchow
August 5, 2014
Mr. R.J. was a constant around Lake Sherwood Village. We loved seeing him and Mrs. Doris dance around at every LSV celebration. The love they shared was truly inspirational. My prayers are with his family. He truly was a great man.
Lori Anderson
August 5, 2014
We have all lost a treasure in the passing of R.J. He was always a man of great respect and deep faith. He set the example for all of us of true family love. His family and faith were always first in his life. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. The Lake Sherwood Family was honored that you shared him and your mom with us for the last eleven years. We know he is in the highest place in heaven now.
Dolores Benedetto
August 5, 2014
I only knew Mr. Eisworth for a short time but was impressed with his deep love for his wife n family n faith in God. He always treated others with patience and respect. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Catherine griffith
August 4, 2014
I love and miss you pawpaw! I would describe my pawpaw as a kind and gentle man and loved by everyone. There's not one person my grandpaw has meet who didn't like him. I miss him everyday! Ily pawpaw
Sarah Russell
August 4, 2014
Paw Paw, you are the only grandfather I've ever known and a wonderful one at that!! I know you are dancing with Maw Maw in heaven! Thanks for the beautiful memories. I love you!!
Pam Griffith
August 4, 2014
Paw Paw, you were the only grandfather I've ever known and I couldn't ask for a better one! I know you are dancing with Maw Maw in heaven. Thanks for the beautiful memories! I love you!!
Pam Griffith
August 4, 2014
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