Manuel Gonzalez, Jr.

Manuel Gonzalez, Jr., age 86, of Adrian, died May 4th, 2021 at Hospice of Lenawee.  He was born August 14, 1934 in Cotulla, Texas to Manuel and Bacilia (Ybarra) Gonzalez. Manuel came to call Adrian, MI home at an early age, when his parents moved from Texas in search of new opportunities. It was in Adrian he met the love of his life, Elvira Castillo.  Their 66 year marriage began at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Manuel served his country honorably in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. As a young man, Manuel loved playing baseball and was a life-long Detroit Tigers fan. He also enjoyed a variety of music and dancing with his wife, gardening, and spending time with family. He retired in 1996 from the General Motors Powertrain Plant in Toledo, OH where he worked as a millwright.  He was a beloved member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  In addition to his wife, Elvira, he is survived by two sons, Steven Gonzalez of Ypsilanti, MI, Daniel (Jodi) Gonzalez of Pinckney, MI, daughters Veronica (Scott) Perkins of Ypsilanti, MI, and Susan (Brian) Nelson of Bath, MI; 12 grandchildren (Nathaniel, Peri, Kyle, Emmanuel, Jesselyn, Erica, Elena, Ryan, Maria, Danielle, Anthony and Beth) and 6 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother.  The Funeral Liturgy will be held Saturday, May 8 at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Adrian, MI with Fr. Michael Newman presiding.  There will be visitation at 9:30 am prior to the funeral.  Burial will follow at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh, MI with Military Honors performed by the Tecumseh American Legion & VFW Honor Guard.  Viewing & Visitation will be on Friday, May 7, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Recitation of The Rosary at 7:00 PM at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, MI.  You may send condolences to the family at https://www.pursefuneralhome.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to “The Holy Family Parish” or “St. Mary’s Food Pantry”.  Envelopes are available at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home.

Manuel Gonzalez:  What can be said of this man?  I can say that he was a man of service;  A son when his parents needed him to be;  A warrior when his country needed him to be;  A sweetheart when his wife needed him to be;  A provider when his family needed him to be;  A father when his children needed him to be;  A friend to many when they needed him to be;  A grandfather to his grandchildren when they needed him to be;  And now in passing, his soul is the watchful angel we all need him to be.  This is who Manuel Gonzalez is and was.

Poem by, grandson Nathaniel Nelson

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