Manuel Viramontes

Mr. Viramontes was born on March 4, 1933 in Chicago, IL to his parents, Eliseo and Guadalupe (née Navarette). He was raised by his father Eliseo and mother Manuelita (Zapata).

During high school, he joined the Illinois National Guard before enlisting with the US Marine Corps serving a four-year stint. Mr. Viramontes then enlisted with the Navy during which time he met the love of his life, Afra. Immediately after being honorably discharged, the two married on November 18, 1961 in Los Angeles, CA.

The Viramontes’ moved to Chicago where Manuel worked on smokestack repair and Afra raised their first 3 children. Mr. Viramontes spent his entire life as a blue-collar skilled worker in various industries. His greatest accomplishment was moving his family from a humble apartment in a depressed area of Chicago to their dream home in a northern suburban community of Mundelein, IL. He and Afra had two more sons while living in Mundelein.

He retired in 1998 and dedicated his remaining time on household projects and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Manuel also maintained a larger than life presence with his entire extended family. Always a jokester, loved to sing novelty songs and told crazy stories of his great “adventures living in the southside of Chicago and military years.” His laugh could always fill up a room, so jovial with a resounding boom. Often, when asked how he was, he would reply "well I’m not 6 feet under, I’m not in the hospital, I’m not in jail, so… I can’t complain.”

Mr. Viramontes is survived by his son Andres, his wife Lisa and their two children - Cameron and Annalisa- of Lake Bluff, IL; his son Solomon, his wife Johanna, both of Winterhaven, FL; his daughter, Sheri (Higgins), her husband Brian and their three children – Frank, Nikolas (Davis) and Kevin – all of Riverwoods, IL; his son Eliseo of Zion, IL; and his son Jacob, his wife Tracy and their three children – Ayden, Isabella and Conner- all of Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Mr. Viramontes is also survived by his brothers, Ricardo Viramontes and Joseph Hernandez; his sisters Clara Engel and Virginia Gonzalez; many nieces, nephews and other loving family members. He is preceded in death by his sister, Rosemarie Farr and his brother-in-law Jerry Farr; and niece Jeanette Gonzalez.

Mr. Viramontes will be memorialized on Friday, November 22. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a short service at 6 pm at Marsh Funeral Home (305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031). Online condolences can be made at _weblink to come.

All are welcome to attend a post-funeral reception attend and celebrate Mr. Viramontes’ life, immediately following the services.

Andy and Lisa’s home

320 Signe Court

Lake Bluff, IL 60044