Adam Manuel, age 88, passed away Tuesday, January 4, 2011, in local hospital.

He was born October 29, 1922, in Basile, to Kossuth and Eva Bertrand Manuel. A graduate of Basile High School, he also obtained a history degree from UL at Lafayette, formerly USL. He retired after many years of service from PCI Refinery in the lake area. An Army Air Corp veteran, he served his country proudly in WWII as a waist gunner on a B24 Bomber over Germany, with his entire crew surviving 25 missions. Mr. Manuel was a long time member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He had served as president of the Oak Hill Duck Club. Breeding as well as training and racing thoroughbred race horses were his passion. Mr. Manuel enjoyed reading and hunting and will be missed by all who loved and knew him. Preceding him in death was his parents, two sisters, Bonnie Duplechain and Ena Sonnier, a brother, Laney Manuel, and two grandchildren, Nicole McGrath and John McGrath.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Geraldine Fontenot Manuel of Lake Charles; two daughters, Edwena Manuel Ash and husband, Gary of DeQuincy and Sandra McGrath and husband, Kurtis of Lake Charles; three grandchildren, Becky Ash Cart, Matthew Ash, and Adam McGrath all of Lake Charles; and one great-grandchild, Alexandra Ash of Baton Rouge.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 7, 2011, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Father Danny Torres will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Eunice under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, January 6, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. only. No visitation will be held on Friday. A scripture service and rosary will be held Thursday evening at 6 p.m.