Rev. Dennis Harvey Manuel

Reverend Dennis H. Manuel (89), of Terre Haute, IN, passed away peacefully, on July 7, 2024. Dennis was born to Carl Manuel and Evelyn Robertson, on November 24, 1934, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was born on his mother’s birthday, and also shared his birthday with his twin brother Dewey Manuel. Dennis, Miss Evelyn’s son whom she fondly referred to as Denny, loved his mother and didn’t miss a day of talking to his Mom.
Dennis graduated from Wiley High School in 1953, where he was a track star along side his brother. He went on to work various jobs, lastly retiring from Indiana Gas. He was a proud board member of The Lighthouse Mission for 47 years. Dennis married the love of his life, Viola (Rita) Manuel, on May 27, 1977. Dennis saw Crystal and Rhonda as his own daughters, and became their father without hesitation. He raised them alongside LaRita (Pook), whom was born in 1980.
Reverend Manuel spread God’s word while on the job, while at home, while in the gas station or grocery store, everywhere he want. He was never bashful with his faith. He would boldly, proudly, and loudly sing song’s of praise and spread joy given any chance. He pastored at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greencastle, IN for 10 years. After some setbacks with his health he went on to serve as an Associate Pastor at Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Manuel never stopped serving. He was devoted until his last days, singing his heart out until his last breath.
In the 1980’s Reverend Manuel posted a long running ad in the Terre Haute Tribune Star. His phone number was listed, along with the offering of prayer. He listed it, and people called. Good people, bad people, old people, young people, men and women dialed that number. It didn’t matter, day or night, he would answer, listen, and pray. He would stop what he was doing at any given time to pray, to visit someone in the hospital, to visit the sick at home, to spend countless hours helping the people he was close to and people he didn’t even know.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father and mother, and his sister Carlena. His memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: his wife, Rita; his brother, Dewey; his daughters Crystal, Rhonda, and LaRita (Eric); his grand-daughters, Christian, Justine, Whitney, and Sydney; his special grandson, Jalen “Jay-Bo”; his bonus grandson, Chandler; and his eight great grand children.
A graveside service will be held on July 10, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Grandview Cemetery in Terre Haute, IN. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
The family has designated Eric Shaw, Chandler Jenkins, Jalen Jenkins, Jeremiah Walden, Kwinten Johnson, and Rafael Zepeda as pallbearers to accompany Dennis on his final journey.

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