Manuel Cardenas

Manuel R. Cardenas passed away quietly after a brief illness on Thursday, October 15, 2009. He was 88 years old.

Manuel was born to Nicholas and Theresa Cardenas in Williams, Arizona on June 7, 1921. His family moved from Arizona to the Central Valley in 1930, and settled in the Sanger area in 1933. He married Lupe Gonzalez of Sanger in 1942.

Manuel served his country with distinction in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the 987th Field Artillery Battalion, and landed with his unit on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normany, France on June 6, 1944. He served across Europe, and he was in Germany when the war ended in 1945.

After the war, he returned to the Sanger area where he made his home and raised his family. Manuel retired from his position as a maintenance worker for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1986.

His retirement years were busy and full, occupied by community volunteer activities, traveling, and family. He was a long-time active member of the American Legion Post #23 in Sanger.

Manuel is survived by Lupe Cardenas, his wife of 67 years; sons, Gilbert of Sanger, Nick of Fresno, Larry of Redding, and David of San Jose; and brothers, Mike of El Monte, and Frank of San Jose. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at St. Mary's New Catholic Church in Sanger on Monday, October 19, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's New Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

WALLIN'S Sanger Funeral Home 1524 9th Street Sanger (559)875-6555