Manuel Villanueva

August 2, 1931 - April 5, 2022

Manuel Villanueva, age 90 of Portage, IN passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. He was born on August 2, 1931 in Jalisco, Mexico to the late Natalia (Vasquez) and Alfredo Villanueva. He came to the United States at the age of 17 as part of the Bracero program and worked in the fields picking cotton before returning to Mexico. He later returned to the U.S., became a proud citizen and found work in the railroad industry where he helped lay the tracks from Gary to South Bend. During this time, he spent his weekends with his wife riding the train to Chicago where they would dance the night away. Manuel was a member of Nativity of our Savior Catholic Church and was a wonderful father, husband and grandfather. His daughters were the light of his life and he spent his free time attending dance recitals and softball games. This tradition continued once his granddaughter Vanessa was born; he only missed one folkorico recital in the past 10 years. His last job was as a crane operator at Inland Steel from where he retired after 25 years. He spent the remainder of his life taking care of his loving wife of 68 years. He found joy in making her breakfast every morning and even did so the same day he was admitted to the hospital. He was a hard-working, very frugal man who loved building and fixing things around the house, shopping at Aldi, playing loteria with his family and telling corny jokes; he loved making people laugh. Manuel is survived by his loving wife, Consuelo (Vasquez) Villanueva of Portage; two daughters, Marissela (Richard) Lynch, Griselda Villanueva; granddaughter, Vanessa Lynch; 4 brothers, Antonio (Francisca) Villanueva; Roberto Villanueva, both of Mexico, Jose (Guadalupe) Villanueva and Miguel (Guadalupe) Villanueva, all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2 sisters: Rosa Cerda of Mexico and Dolores (Camerino) Cerda of Mexico and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by 8 brothers & sisters. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 am at Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church, 2949 Willowcreek Road, Portage, IN 46368 with Fr. Brian Chadwick officiating. Burial to follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Chesterton IN. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage, IN 46368. To leave online condolences to the family please visit www.ee-fh.com.