Manuel Santos Mateo

August 10, 1934 - April 28, 2020

Manuel Santos Mateo, 85, of Bethlehem, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg. He was the loving husband of the late Luz (Gomez) Santos with whom he shared over 30 years of marriage. Born in the Dominican Republic, he was a son of the late Ramon De los Santos Marte and Rosa Herminia (Mateo). Manuel was an evangelist and faithful servant of God. He had a passion to share God’s word by preaching in different communities. Manuel came to the United States to provide a better life for his family. Manuel was one of the first generations in his family that came to the United States. Manuel obtained his doctorate degree in theology and utilized this degree to teach in churches and Universities. He touched many lives on this journey God set for him. He is remembered today by his eagerness in being an instrument to share the word of God throughout the world. Aside from being an evangelist, Manuel often loved spending time with his family. It was a delight for him to see his family come together for holiday and birthday celebrations. Manuel loved sharing fictional stories to the young children in the family, as well as laughing and playing jokes with everyone. Manuel’s final wishes were for his family to be united as one. He wanted all the members of his family to serve God wholeheartedly so they can all meet once again in heaven for the ultimate celebration of life. Manuel era un evangelista y fiel servidor de Dios. Le apasionaba compartir la palabra de Dios predicando en diferentes comunidades. Manuel vino a los Estados Unidos en el año de (0000) para proporcionar una vida mejor a su familia. Manuel fue una de las primeras generaciones de su familia que llegó a los Estados Unidos. Manuel obtuvo su doctorado en teología y lo utilizó para enseñar en iglesias y universidades. Tocó muchas vidas en este viaje que Dios le preparó. Hoy es recordado por su afán de ser un instrumento para compartir la palabra de Dios en todo el mundo. Además de ser un evangelista, a Manuel le encantaba pasar tiempo con su familia. Fue un placer para él ver a su familia reunirse para las fiestas y las celebraciones de cumpleaños. A Manuel le encantaba compartir historias de ficción con los niños pequeños de la familia, así como reír y bromear con todos. Los últimos deseos de Manuel eran que su familia se uniera como una sola. Quería que todos los miembros de su familia sirvieran a Dios de todo corazón para que todos puedan reunirse una vez más en el cielo para la máxima celebración de la vida. Manuel is survived by daughters: Dulce Maria Santos and her husband, Carlos Pavon with their children: Aaron, Noemí, Carlos, and Joshua; Georgina “Daisy” Santos Almonte and her husband, Deny Quintero Sanchez with their children: Dennis, Jason, and Estefanía; Victoria Santos Smith, and her husband, Jeffrey Oliver Smith with their children: Allen, Lauren, Jacqueline, and Paulina; Deborah Santos with her children: Salomon and Caleb; Priscilla Santos and Kristina Colleen Rochester Gray; sons: David Santos and his wife, Rafaelina Santos with their children: Sheyla, Darmelis, and Joshua; Daniel Santos, Sr. and his wife, Nitza Santos with their children: Christine, Jessica, Daniel Jr. and Jacob; and Moises Santos, Sr. and his wife, Maria Santos with their children: Gabriela, Angelica, Yennis, Moises Jr., and Daphne; great-grandchildren: Jeremiah, Noah, Juliana, Victoria, Saúl, Yessenia, Jaylene, Sidney, Jamal Jr., Mila, and Bryson. Manuel was preceded in death by his wife, Luz Santos (mother of Deborah and Priscilla) There will be a drive by viewing held on May 5, 1-4pm. Please join the family online on Tuesday, May 5 at 1 p.m. for a live stream of the viewing, and Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m. on the Connell Funeral Home Facebook page for a live stream of the service. A live stream of the burial will follow the services on Wednesday.