Manuel Oyervides,

Manuel A. Oyervides, Sr. of Waukesha, died Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Waukesha Springs at the age of 88. He was born on December 23, 1922 in Sequin, Texas to Blas and Juana (nee Allala) Oyervides. On September 30, 1944 he married Quirina “Chila” Vasquez. They lived in Waukesha for three years before returning to San Antonio, Texas. Manuel was an entrepreneur by nature. He began with his fruit stand in San Antonio at El Melcado Plaza before venturing into negotiating contracts between farmers and field workers. Manuel and his family continued to work as migrant farm workers until 1957. They relocated to Sodus, New York, where he educated himself through a home study program on radio and television repairs.  In 1960 he and his family relocated back to Waukesha and he began Manuel’s TV & Radio Repair Shop. When the opportunity presented itself he purchased an auction hall and converted it into a used furniture and appliance store, incorporating his TV repair shop and added a popcorn stand. During this time he also worked at Amron Corporation as an electrical technician, opening the store after work and on weekends.  During the late sixties and early seventies, Waukesha was experiencing an awareness to discrimination as was the rest of the nation. Manuel wanted to be part of the movement toward placing Latinos in jobs where they qualified and provide education for those who did not qualify. His knowledge in business negotiations helped him recognize that in order to remove these obstacles, he would have to participate in city committees. By 1972, he had been active in Boy Scouts as a scoutmaster, Mexican-American Scholastic Fund, La Casa de Esperanza as their treasurer, the Society of St. Augustine and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He was appointed to the Equal Opportunities Commission for six years and its chairman for two. He was affiliated with Latin Council of Wisconsin, Inc., Jobs for Progress, Inc., International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and founder of the United Latin American Citizens Waukesha Chapter.  Manuel was now approaching retirement from Amron Corp., and converted his furniture store into a grocery store. The store was now named SAVE & SAVE La Tienda. With Chila at his side, La Tienda was prosperous and many articles were written highlighting fiesta holidays and food fairs. In July 1999, La Tienda caught on fire and the building was burnt beyond repair.  At age 77, he felt he had to begin again. In July 2002, Manuel suddenly lost his daughter, Irma, in addition to struggling with Chila’s chemotherapy, in which she died six months later. Manuel soon retired and moved to Waukesha Springs, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Only a few of the old generation today will remember Manuel, but it was a great honor to him when people would greet him as “Don Manuel”. He will be sadly missed by his children Manuel A. (Mary Louise) Oyervides, Jr of Waukesha and Jane O. (David) Lopez-Fogg of Santa Barbara, CA. He is further survived by his grandchildren Jennifer (Michael) Dickens of CA, Epimenio (Janet) Lopez of CA, Venencio (Deserae) Lopez of CA, Diana J. Lopez of CA, Michael Crites Oyervides of Waukesha, Mary Elizabeth Oyervides of Milwaukee, Rosalinda Lopez of S.C., Felipe Lopez of San Antonio, Agustin (Jessica) Lopez of Fairfax, VA and Orlando (Tina) Lopez of Waukesha, son-in-law Frank Galindo of West Allis, many cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Quirina “Chila” Oyervides, daughter Hilma “Irma” Galindo and brother Herminio Oyervides of San Antonio. Visitation will take place, Tuesday, September 20 from 4:00 p.m. until the Rosary service at 8:00 p.m. at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Prayers continue at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 21 beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by the procession to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 822 N. East Ave., Waukesha for the 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass. Graveside services will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.