Manuel Antonio Maldonado Morales, 80, of Lake Station, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. He was born on January 24, 1946, in Manati, Puerto Rico, to the late Manuel Maldonado and Cecilia Morales. On June 19, 1970, in Crown Point, Manuel married the love of his life, Adava Pastoriza. 

Manuel is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Adava Maldonado; children, Mary Derico, Claudia S. Ramos, Manuel Andrew (Jena Rae) Maldonado, Richard Rey (Jillian Armstrong) Maldonado, Anthony Edward (Jill) Maldonado, and Alexander James (Cynthia) Maldonado; grandchildren, Felicia Anette (Kirstie) Maldonado, Mark Derico Jr., Sean (Cassie) Derico, Amanda D. Ramos, Joel Ramos Jr., Christopher B. (Sonia) Ramos, Kayla (Andrew) Vicari, Cecilia Maldonado, Manuel Maldonado Jr., Sebastian Garcia, Christian Garcia, Benjamin Moneypenny, Julian Garcia, Andrea Maldonado, Andrew Maldonado Jr., Andre Maldonado, Richard Rey Maldonado Jr., Anthony Haussman, Lauren Haussman, Liliana Maldonado, Gabriel Maldonado, Daniel Maldonado, Paisley Maldonado, and Xander Maldonado; great-grandchildren, Isaiah Maldonado, Keegan Derico, Sophia Derico, Zaiden E. Ramos, Israel J. Ramos, Christopher J. Ramos, Serenity Sophia Rose Ramos, Luis Magana, Isabella Vicari, Riley Hamer, Oscar Hamer, and Ocean Vicari; siblings, Ines Maria (Elias) DeJesus, Reyes (Catalina) Maldonado, and Samuel (Marlene) Maldonado; siblings-in-law, Francisco Luz Otero, and Maritza Maldonado; daughter-in-law, Elsa Maldonado; along with a loving host of extended family, friends, and acquaintances. 

In addition to his parents, Manuel was preceded in death by his son, Andrew Maldonado; sons-in-law, Mark Derico Sr., and Joel Ramos Sr.; and siblings, Cruzita DelaCruz, Aida Luz Otero, and Jose Luis Maldonado. 

Manuel worked in the sugar cane fields of his homeland, Puerto Rico. Once he moved to the Midwest, he worked as a rail track laborer for E.J. & E. Railroad for over 36 years until his retirement. Manuel, alongside his wife, Adava, were members of Bloodline City Church in Lake Station for the last 13 years. 

Manuel was a strongly-devoted family man who adored his wife, children, and grandchildren with all his heart. In his spare time, he enjoyed travelling the world, visiting the YMCA, going for walks on trails, tending to his yard or garden, watching basketball or football games, and dancing to salsa and merengue music. 

Manuel will best be remembered as a humble, kind, faithful, and loving man who will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

Services for Manuel will begin on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Central Avenue Church of God, 5120 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368, with visitation from 4 PM to 8 PM. On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, services will continue at the church with visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM and a funeral service to begin at 11 AM. Burial will follow Tuesday’s services at Calvary Cemetery in Portage. Calumet Park Funeral Chapel of Hobart/Portage has been entrusted with Manuel’s arrangements.