Manuel Nevius Jr., 77, of Springfield, left this life to meet our Lord, Savior and Creator on March 7, 2013 at Mercy Hospital. Manuel was born to Gladys and Manuel Nevius on April 15, 1935 in Edinburg , Texas , the oldest of three children. Manuel graduated from Hutchinson High School and went on to attend Baptist Bible College, where he met his future wife Mary O’Dell. They were married on December 23, 1955 in Crossville TN. Manuel was a member of Cherry Street Baptist Church. Manuel and Mary spent forty years as missionaries in Argentina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Gladys Nevius; and two children Timothy Nevius and Rebekah Nevius. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Mary E. Nevius; one daughter Ruth Penick-Bryant and husband George; one brother Ralph Nevius and wife Marilyn; one sister Dorothy Gum and husband Richard; five grandchildren, Mark, Becky, David and wife Jayla, Carol Penick, and Ginny Curtis; and one great- grandson, Joseph Penick; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends all over the world. A celebration of Manuel’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2013, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Cherry Street Baptist Church, 1201 South Oak Grove, Springfield, Missouri 65804.