Dr. Gardnel "Doc" Sylvester

August 11, 1932 - June 20, 2015
Funeral services will be held for Dr. Gardnel “Doc” Sylvester, 82, of Ville Platte, at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Ville Platte at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 24. Burial will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Dr. Sylvester died Saturday, June 20, 2015, at his residence with his wife, children and grandchildren by his side. He studied at the Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Liberal and Technical Learning, now ULL, before completing his medical degree at the Louisiana Health Sciences Center at New Orleans (LSU). He was a great physician who practiced for nearly 50 years. During his tenure as a physician in Ville Platte, Lafayette, New Orleans and Mamou, he had a reputation as a superb diagnostician who cared for his patients with a great deal of wisdom, humor and compassion. A native of Louisiana, he had a passion for nature evident in his avid love of hunting, fishing and gardening, only rivaled by his love for his family and grandchildren. Countless people who knew him as Dr. Sylvester owe him their health, or even their lives; but to his family, he was “Papa Doc” or “Poc” and no one will miss him more than his family will.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Doloris Sebastien Sylvester of Ville Platte; three children, Kathy Sylvester Foster and her husband, Dr. Daniel, of Charleston, West Virginia, Dr. Carl Sylvester and his wife, Sally, of Ville Platte and Dr. Keith Sylvester and his wife, Penny, of Alexandria; and one brother, Dr. Roland Sylvester and his wife, Sue, of New Iberia. His nine grandchildren to lovingly remember him as “Poc” or “Papa Doc” are Greg Foster and his wife, Bridget, Brad Foster and his wife, Robin, Doug Foster and his wife, Carla, Dr. Sarah Sylvester, Christopher Sylvester, Jason Sylvester, Taylor Sylvester, Sydney Sylvester and Morgan Sylvester; and four great-grandchildren, Connor, Parker, Cole and Elsie Foster. He also will be missed by a flock of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dillard and Lela Richard Sylvester; and two brothers, J.L. Sylvester and Clyde Sylvester.
Father Mitchell Guidry will officiate.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.