Ervin "Melvin" Lee Manuel, 83, of Longville, passed away in his home on Friday, January 27, 2023. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Kinder. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley. The family will receive visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 4-8 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Melvin was a loving husband of fifty-nine years to his wife, Joyce, as well as a caring father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. He worked all of his life and at a young age shipped off as a merchant marine. After his marriage to Joyce, he became a farmer in the Ragley community and then road foreman for the Beauregard Parish Police Jury for forty-two years. Melvin enjoyed sitting on the porch, hunting, going to the store for "free" sugar with a splash of coffee from Ms. Lara, working cattle and bailing hay. More than anything, he enjoyed being with his grandkids and would watch for them to get off the school bus each day. He was soft-spoken, but when he did talk, he was sure to always make a joke. Melvin will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Melvin's memory include his wife, Joyce Manuel; son, Darrin Manuel and wife, Wendy, of Longville; daughter, Mitzi Batiste and husband, Lionel, of Church Point; two brothers, Clanny Manuel of Oberlin and Joe Manuel of Lafayette; eleven grandchildren, Jason Pitre, Megan Manuel, Kodie Manuel, Bradley Manuel, Danielle Domingue, Brock Manuel, Emily Manuel, Kelsey Busby, Kathryn Williams, Bethany Manuel and Gavin Manuel; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, Alexson and Edna Manuel; son, Bryan Kevin Manuel; seven sisters and six brothers.