Manuel de Jesus Salazar-Matta, 84, of Liberal, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Southwest Medical Center, in Liberal, KS.
He was born December 24, 1927, at Santa Rosa, Barberena, Guatemala, the son of Edmundo Matta and Maria del Carmen Salazar.
He was a self-employed grocer in Guatemala, for 25 years. While in Liberal, he was employed by El Matador Restaurant, and was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
In September 1955, he married Gloria E. de la Cruz, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She survives.
Other survivors include:
2 sons
Jose Felipe Salazar and wife Betty, of California
Carlos Salazar and wife Shirley, of Liberal, KS
5 daughters
Norma Valles and husband Martin, of Liberal, KS
Rosa Bonilla and husband Edgar, of Liberal, KS
Aura Morales and husband Enrique, of Guatemala
Ana Leticia Arriola and husband Miguel, of Guatemala
Ruth De Leon, of Olathe, KS
3 brothers
Ramiro Matta, of Guatemala
Sergio Franco and wife Consuelo, of Guatemala
Arnoldo Matta, of Guatemala
1 sister – Dora Matta, of Guatemala
28 grandchildren – Brian, Erik, Betty, Carolina, Cristrian, Erik, Alejandro, Xiomara, Micheal, Monica, Patrick, Alex, Karla, Anna, Mirna, Sandra, Mario, Juan, Norma, David, Daniel, Alexis, Jazmine, Gerson, Damaris, Gary Lee, Christopher, Johnathan
23 great-grandchildren – Jasmine, Xavier, Vivianna, Diana, Anthony, Mario, Jr., Daniela, Isabella, Silvia, Denice, Fernando, Ester, Daniel and Alexis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 daughter, Rosa Maria; 3 brothers, Arnulfo Matta, Arnulfo Castillo, Rene Salazar, 1 sister, Maria Salazar, and 1 grandson, Fernando Arriola.
Vigil and Rosary will be held at 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2012, at St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2012, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Liberal, with Rev. J. Hector de la Vega, officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery, in Liberal.
Visitation time will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday, at Brenneman Funeral Home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Manuel Salazar Memorial Fund, in care of Brenneman Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd St., Liberal, KS 67901.
Condolences also may be sent to the family at www.brennemanfuneralhome.com
