Manuel F. Maldonado

Manuel F. Maldonado, 92, walked into eternal life with the Lord on December 8th, 2020. He was born on March 20th, 1928 to Sabino Maldonado and Anita (Federico) Maldonado in Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Mexico, Manny enjoyed early life with his brothers Arturo, Francisco, and Miguel and sisters Bertha, Carmen, Isela, Hilda and Janie, in the hills of his native town.

He was married to his viejita, Celerina “Sally” Zavala Maldonado for 50 years, and had a daughter, Yvonne Diane, and a son, Hector Manuel. He devoted his life to his family, and enjoyed his grandchildren Hector Manuel Maldonado II, Stephen Michael Maldonado, and Diane Michelle Maldonado, along with his great grandchildren Kass Maddex Maldonado, and Logan Michelle Maldonado who he had been looking forward to meeting before he became ill. He also enjoyed his bonus great grandchild, Kenna Grace Baze, when he visited Southeast Texas.

Manuel was of the Roman Catholic rite, and attended the celebration of the Mass at Santa Lucía (now St. John Paul II) parish in the Tigua area. He spent quiet time walking 2 miles a day, while engaged in prayer, or in his yard also meditating on the mystery of God’s love.

Preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Sally, and his daughter Ivonne Diane, his parents Sabino and Anita, and his siblings, Arturo Maldonado, Francisco Maldonado, Carmen Páez, Hilda Ortega and Janie Maldonado, he is survived by his son Hector Manuel Maldonado and wife Cindy, his grandson Hector Manuel Maldonado II, grandson Stephen Michael Maldonado and fiancé Destany Sorge, his granddaughter Diane Michelle Maldonado, along with his great grandson Kass Maddex Maldonado, great granddaughter Logan Michelle Maldonado, and bonus great granddaughter Kenna Grace Baze. Also left to cherish his memory are his brother Miguel (Engracia) Maldonado, his sister Bertha Zimmerman, and sister Isela Guzman, along with a wonderfully large extended family of nieces, nephews, and so many more.

Services will be under the direction of Hillcrest Funeral Home, with his son, Deacon Hector Maldonado, performing the Vigil, which will take place at Hillcrest Funeral Home on North Carolina on January 1st, 2021, from 2-5 PM. Burial will take place at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery at 9 am. While only 10 people will be allowed at a time at the burial site, while others sit in their cars, mourners will be able to rotate in and out as long as the number of people does not exceed 10. Pall bearers are Hector M. Maldonado II, Stephen M. Maldonado, Miguel Maldonado, Manny Vasquez, Jonathan Ball, Michael Guzman, with Kass M. Maldonado as honorary pall bearer.