Manuel Lopez

Manuel Lopez Guerra,96, passed away Wednesday, July 06, 2022 at Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care in Naperville, IL surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his sister Eloisa and his children: Manuel Lopez (Graciela Leal), Ovidio Lopez (Lilia Gonzalez), Jose Lopez (Luisa C. Flores), Jesus Lopez (Lucila Soto), Oralia Lopez (Jim Beamon). Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Graciela (Juan Garcia), Luis Lopez, Sergio Lopez (Mariela Salazar), Ovidio Lopez (Teresa Rowader), Sonia Lopez (Cesar Aguilar), Michael Lopez (Kaitlyn Witt), Ana Lopez (Ryan Jensky), Jessica Lopez, Carla Lopez (Joe Ianni), Alberto Lopez (Janet Sanchez), Jasmine Lopez, Sebastian Lopez, Jose Manuel Beamon: great-grandchildren, Garcia - Cristian, Ailyn, Julian, Fabian, Lopez – Mateo, Perez – Alex, Adrian, Jensky – Madeline, Brittany, Lopez – Lia as well as many nephews and nieces.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Maria Oralia Salazar and his siblings; Humberto, Florentino, Ernestina, Angelina, Virginia, Eduardo, Leobardo, Maria De La Luz, Jesus, and his parents Eloisa and Jesus.

Manuel was born in Los Sabinos, Allende Nuevo Leon, Mexico and immigrated to the United States in 1943. He returned to Mexico in 1958 and he was a national cattle rancher and orchard owner and merchant. Manuel came back to Joliet in 1965 where he resided until his death. A long-time member of Laborer’s Union Local 75 Manuel was a laborer and foreman. Although he had not completed his elementary education in Mexico due to family farm responsibilities, he returned to school at 66 years of age and obtained his eight-grade diploma in Joliet. As well an auxiliary judge in Los Sabinos for many years; he was so involved with helping neighbors resolve their issues or being the liaison between citizens and the authorities. He loved gardening since childhood, enjoyed watching baseball, boxing and wrestling and spending time with his family. Being greatly respected and admired for his demeanor; smart, honest, loyal with a heart of gold, impatient for action, great sense of humor, practical and patient with people. He was hard-working and thrifty his entire life.  A great story teller and conversationalist who had many great stories to share and a wonderful way of telling them. Being blessed with an amazing memory; could remember people’s stories and the names and birthdates of about 1000 people from our small town in Mexico. He will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Manuel’s life will begin on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Tezak Funeral Home with visitation being held from 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. where final prayers will conclude services and procession will follow to Woodlawn Memorial Park where committal services will be held.