Loyd Earl Manuel, 79

Loyd Earl Manuel, 79, of Sedalia, died Friday, December 14, 2012, at Harry S. Truman Veteran's Hospital, Columbia.  He was born on October 11, 1933, on his grandparents farm north of Richland, a son of Earl M. and Bridgie M. (Lucas) Manuel.   Loyd attended Tightwad School and graduated eighth grade from Anderson School south of Sedalia.  While growing up, he worked on Jim Rittman's dairy farm.  In 1951, he graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia.   After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and completed boot camp at Camp Pendleton, CA.  He was then sent to operating school at Camp Lejune, NC, to learn how to operate heavy equipment.  Upon completion of his training, he was then stationed in Korea for two years.  After returning from overseas, he was an order buyer for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin stockyards.  He was a superintendent for the Missouri State Parks System at Crowder State Park in Trenton and Knob Noster State Park.   On February 22, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church at Pyrmont, Pastor Fred Wiebke united him in marriage to Arlene E. Schlesselman.  This union was blessed with the gift of four children:  Dean, Bret, Jody, and Cindy.   In 1962, he was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Sedalia and was a member of Pyrmont Lutheran Church.  In 1969, he and his wife purchased a farm south of Sedalia, where he raised hogs and row cropped.  Loyd retired from farming in 1980 and went to work for the Sedalia Democrat, where he was a rural carrier until 1990 and owned and operated Will's Delivery from 1990 - 1995.  He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 305 of Cole Camp.  He enjoyed spending his retirement crappie fishing, metal detecting, traveling, playing pitch with his neighbors, and spending time with his family.   He is survived by: his wife, Arlene Manuel of the home;             one daughter, Cindy Mackley and Henry Wallraff of Lenexa, KS;             three sons, Dean Manuel and his wife Christine of Sedalia, Bret Manuel and his wife Martha of Sedalia, and Jody Manuel and Harv Mullins of Sweet Springs; and             six grandchildren, Ryan Manuel, Amanda Manuel, Earl Manuel, Morgan Manuel, Wyatt Mackley, and Brian Wallraff.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Bridgie Manuel.   Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 17, 2012, at Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp, with Rev. Jim Banner officiating.  Burial will be in Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery, rural Sedalia, with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 305 of Cole Camp.   A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at the Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp, with Rev. Russell Lucas officiating.  A visitation to follow.   The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery Fund or Pyrmont Lutheran Church in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.   Pallbearers will be Ryan Manuel, Earl Manuel, Morgan Manuel, Kirk Wissman, Wes McMurdo, and Andy Burt.  Honorary pallbearers will be Amanda Manuel, Wyatt Mackley, Brian Wallraff, Cleo Wissman, Jim McMurdo, Ralph Viebrock, Lloyd Moore, Melvin Oehrke, Jack Horn, and Harold Burt.