Emmanuel J. (Manny) Chirpich, Wells, died Friday, Dec. 13, 2002, at the Minnesota Veterans’ Home, Luverne.

Emmanuel Chirpich was born May 10, 1931, to Albert and Caroline (Troska) Chirpich, rural Wells.

He attended Wells schools, joined the U.S. Marine Corps, to serve his country at the time of the Korean conflict.

He and Gwen McDaniels of Daytona Beach, Fla., married Sept. 29, 1956, at St. Casimir Catholic Church, Wells.

He was employed as a crane operator for Wells Concrete Products for 26 years and retired in 1993.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, camping, playing cards, and being with his family.

He was a member of The American Legion, Troska Post 210, in Wells.

Manny is survived by his wife, Gwen; four sons: Randy and his wife Lori of Fairmont, Tim and his wife Jackie of Mankato, Bryon and his wife Jennifer of Brooklyn Center, and Todd and his wife Raven of Kasota; one daughter, Diane

of Eden Prairie; and eight grandchildren. Four brothers survive: John and his wife Mary Ann of Wells, Jim and wife Sydneye of Mankato, Jerry and his wife Sharon of San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Loren of Henderson, Nev. His two

surviving sisters are: Mrs. Cecelia Podobinski of St. Paul, and Angela and her husband Stanley Podobinski of Maplewood, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Chirpich was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Martha Fox of Henderson, Nev.

A memorial mass for Manny Chirpich will be Thursday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church, Wells. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate.

Family and friends are invited to gather together to visit one hour before mass in the nave of the church.