Dr. Manuel M. Sanchez Sr.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Manuel M. Sanchez Sr. of Bourbonnais on June 13, 2026 at the age of 87 at Riverside Medical Center of Kankakee. He was born in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines on August 19, 1938 to Gil Avancena Sanchez and Maria Molina Sanchez. He was the 10th of 12 siblings. He was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Far Eastern University Institute of Medicine in Manila, Philippines in 1968. While at Far Eastern University he was Grand Principe of the Beta Sigma Fraternity. He emigrated to the United States in December of 1970. Did his medical internship at St. Anne’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. Anesthesia Residency and Fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center and Hines VA Medical Center. He started practicing Anesthesiology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL in 1978. He was President of Midstate Anesthesiologists. He was a former St. Mary’s Hospital board member. He was also active in the Philippines Medical Association in Chicago (PMAC) where he was President and Board Member. He was President of the Far Eastern University Medical Alumni Association (FEUMAA) of Northern Illinois. As President of both the PMAC and FEUMAA organizations, he conducted two medical missions to the Philippines. He is also a member of the PMAC and Auxiliary Medical Foundation. He was named to the Asian American Hall of Fame in Medicine, received the PMAC Distinguished Physician Award and named as one of America’s Top Physicians for Anesthesiology by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carlota Mejia Rosal Sanchez. Blessed with four children, Mary Joyce Sanchez Barnhart (husband Patrick), Pearl Lyndia Sanchez Vanderwiel (husband Tracy), Hazel Jean Sanchez Rapciewicz (husband Peter), Manuel Rosal Sanchez Jr. (wife Sunita). 9 grandchildren, Jason Barnhart (wife Angela), Christian Barnhart, Jocelyn Vanderwiel (husband William), Mitchel Vanderwiel (wife Victoria), Maxwell Vanderwiel, Avery Rapciewicz, Kenzie Rapciewicz, Siyona Sanchez, Zoey Sanchez. 5 great grandchildren Eric, Jaslyn and Aliana Flores, and Kallie and Dean Exner, along with nephews, nieces, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. An additional visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the 10:00 a.m. service on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the funeral home. Deacon Patrick Skelly will officiate the service. Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais.

Dr. Manuel M. Sanchez Sr.

August 19, 1938 - June 13, 2026