Manuel (Mike) Garcia
Manuel (Mike) Garcia, 77, of Sullivan, MO, passed away Friday, June 10, 2022 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan.
Manuel was born in Flaming Prairie, TX on February 18, 1945 to the late Daniel and Pilar (Garcez) Garcia. He was raised in Robstown, Texas and also attended school there. Manuel honorably served his country in the United States Army as a combat engineer and powder man from July 26, 1962 – July 23, 1965. While stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Manuel attended a dance, where he met Carol Walker. They were united in marriage on November 16, 1964 and were blessed with three children: Elaina, Tony, and Jeff. After his obligation to the military ended, the Garcia family made their home in the St. Louis area, where Manuel was employed by Laclede Gas Company as a repairman. He would eventually retire from Laclede Gas and was a proud 35-year member of the Gas Workers Union Local #6.
Manuel and Carol made their home in Alton, IL for eighteen years. For many years, Manuel volunteered and served as an officer for the Alton Military Museum. In 2020, they came to Sullivan to make their final home near their daughter, Elaina. Manuel could fix or jerry rig anything. He spent a lot of time tinkering in his garage, making shelves, stools, and wooden benches. He had a good sense of humor which he retained until the end of his life. Manuel also enjoyed meeting his friends at McDonalds for coffee and together they would solve the world’s problems.
Manuel is survived by his wife, Carol Garcia, of Sullivan, MO; three children: Elaina Reinhold and husband Timothy of Sullivan, MO, Tony Garcia and wife Kathy of St. Louis, MO, and Jeff Garcia of Grafton, IL; five grandchildren: Timothy Reinhold, Jr. and wife Maggie of Sullivan, MO, Emily McDonald and husband Blake of Hallsville, MO, Chloe and Daniel Garcia of St. Louis, MO, and Austin Baumgartner of St. Louis, MO; four great-grandchildren: Henry, Charlie, and Ruby Reinhold and Clara McDonald; seven siblings: Robert Garcia of Cottondale, FL, Daniel Garcia and wife Mary Alice of Corpus Christi, TX, Daniel (Danny) Garcia and wife Esmeralda of Marianna, FL, Manuela Luna of Webster, FL, Ruben Garcia and wife Rosa of Dalton, GA, Jose Garcia and wife Leticia of Corsicana, TX, and Guadalupe Garcia and wife Consuelo of Lehigh Acres, FL; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Pilar Garcia; and three siblings: Diane Yzaquirre, Rosa Olivares, and Christopher Garcia.
Funeral services were 11 a.m., Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan - with Pastor Chester Lahmann officiating. Interment, with full military honors, was held in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery - St. Louis at 1 p.m.
Visitation was held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday, prior to the service at Eaton Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Manuel’s memory may be made to Missouri Baptist Cancer & Infusion Center of Sullivan.
Online condolences may be shared with Manuel’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan.