Rev, Manuel "Meme" Villarreal, O.M.I. 82, died in San Antonio on January 1, 2025.  A native of the Rio Grande Valley, he was born in El Ranchito, Texas, on March 6, 1942.  One of ten children, his parents were Manuel Villarreal, Sr. and Eugenia Garcia.

Before professing religious vows with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1974, he served in the Army of the United States after graduation from high school in Los Fresnos, Texas.

He was ordained a priest in 1978 in San Benito, Texas.  Besides different ministry in Texas (San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Brownsville, McAllen, Del Rio, Dickinson, Sarita), and California (San Fernando), he also served as Director of the Basilica of San Juan del Valle Shrine, San Juan, Texas from 1982-1988.   Since 2018 he has been in reduced ministry at the Alamo City's Oblate Madonna Residence.

Survivors include a sister, Concha Montez, two brothers, Enrique and Fernando, plus many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Thursday, January 9th Rosary at 7:00pm, Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel at Oblate School of Theology.

Friday, January 10th  Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am, same chapel. Burial: Oblate Cemetery, San Antonio.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oblate Madonna Residence, 5722 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216.