Guileen P. Manuel

Guileen P. Manuel, 98, formerly of Robinson, IL, passed away on October 28, 2025, at Providence Healthcare in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Providence for the compassionate care and kindness they extended to Guileen during her final years.

She was born on October 25, 1927, in Seneca Falls, NY, and was always proud to be from upstate New York. A gifted musician and lifelong educator, Guileen earned degrees from Western College for Women, Valparaiso University, and the University of Illinois, where she received her Master’s in Music Education. This passion shaped her life, her teaching, and her community. Over the years, she taught in many settings, including Lincoln Trail College, where she shared her love of music with generations of students.

Guileen was a classically trained soprano whose voice brought life to the Lincoln Trail choir and whose direction helped the Robinson First Presbyterian Church choir fill its sanctuary with beauty and joy. When the church closed, she became part of the Palestine First Presbyterian Church family, where she continued to give worship to her Lord through song. She was also a charter member of the Robinson P.E.O. Chapter LX, an organization she was proud to have been involved with.

In her later years, she and her husband, Gene, loved to travel together, exploring new places and making wonderful memories. Among her greatest joys, though, was being a grandmother. She was deeply proud of her family and loved them dearly.

As Irving Berlin once penned, “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” And so it is with Guileen. The love she gave to her family and the music she shared with her community will continue to echo as a gentle, lasting melody in the hearts of all who knew her.

She is survived by her sons, Pete (Jan) of Marshall, IL and Scott (Cheryl) of Springfield, IL; by her granddaughter, Bailey Manuel of Glen Carbon, IL; her step-grandson, Chris (Kim) Savage of Social Circle, GA; her great-grandchildren, Caroline Savage and Kinley Savage, both of Social Circle, GA; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She married Gene Manuel on August 14, 1955, and he preceded her in death on June 2, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Bertha (Siegenthaler) Lindsey; by her brothers, Louie Lindsey and Dr. Lionel Lindsey; and by her sisters, Violet Rieke and Joyce Lyke.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00–11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tom Buchanan officiating. A private family graveside service will then be held in the Monticello Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robinson “P.E.O. Chapter LX,” with envelopes available at the funeral home.