GLEN W. MANNING

Glen was born May 23, 1933 in Alpena, Mich., to the late Walter and Edna (Smith) Manning. He married Dec. 17, 1955 and is survived by his loving wife Jeanette (Liske) Manning. He is survived by five children, Steve and Pam (Johnson) Manning of Ossineke, Tom Manning of Alpena, Greg and Julie (Thompson) Manning of Powhatan, Va., Phil and Mari (VanSwol) Manning of Kenya, Africa, Barb (Manning) and Tim Whiteman of Arrowsmith, Ill. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Alisha (Endi) Ramirez, James (Beth) Manning, Christopher Whiteman, Paul (Sydney) Manning, Carly Manning, Mark Manning, Lindsey Manning, Austin Manning, Anna Manning and two great-grandchildren, Juana and Tim Ramirez. He is also survived by three brothers and their wives Gary (Karen), Mike (Sandra) and Randy (Mary) Manning, as well as four sisters Joyce McCord, Bette (Paul) Thomson, Marlene (the late William) Fetter, Susan (Norm) Zolnierek and numerous nieces and nephews who all love, respect and admire him.

After graduating from Alpena High School, Glen attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute’s baking school in Minneapolis. This later resulted in the General choosing him as his cook during his service to our country in the Army, during the Korean War. After the Army, he attended Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Los Angeles, Calif., obtaining his Aircraft Mechanics license. Returning to Alpena he started a job as an aircraft mechanic for Besser Company and on his first day of work he was asked to copilot their corporate plane. He gained a great passion for piloting aircraft, later attending flight school, purchasing multiple planes while maintaining his pilot license and flying as a hobby for many years of his life.

Glen, Jeanette and their 5 children lived in several different states and places in Michigan, during his very successful career as a Journeyman Electrician and Supervisor. Throughout his career he continued to pursue his passion for baking and cake decorating, working with his wife Jeanette to create beautiful wedding cakes and even teaching his skill to others through cake decorating classes.

In 1975, Glen purchased a farm in Hubbard Lake, established Wolf Creek Farms and maintained a flock of several hundred sheep. He worked closely with his children, as well as leading the Blue-Ribbon Lamb club through the 4-H organization, where they competed at raising and showing sheep at fairs around the state. Glen was skilled at shearing sheep and participated with his wife, daughter Barb and mother in Sheep to Shawl competitions at the local fair. He also enjoyed beekeeping and he loved sharing the honey with family and friends.

He and his son Greg started Sound Solutions, a business that designed and manufactured specialized computer cabinetry for 18 years. His daughter-in-law, Pam, was an instrumental part of the business for many years. Glen developed a love for and was very skilled at most forms of woodworking. He blessed so many of his family, friends and acquaintances through the making and gifting of his wood working creations, leaving a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and giving. He later personally crafted a beautiful home, with the help of his son, Tom, on the shores of the Thunder Bay River in Alpena. Creating together with his loving wife, a home and destination where his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoyed spending time, creating memories and being surrounded with his love and his amazing craftsmanship.

Glen enjoyed fishing with his sons and had a passion for hunting, sharing many elk hunting adventures with his close friend Franklin Stetson and his son, Steve, in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

He was a member of Word of Life Baptist Church. He and his wife, Jeanette, dedicated themselves to providing spiritual guidance and teaching to inmates at the Alpena County Jail, where he served in the Gideons International jail ministry as a volunteer for over 30 years. As a member of the Gideons International, he enjoyed sharing his love of the Lord and gave Bibles to many people throughout the years. His favorite ministry to support was his son, Phil, serving on the mission field in Africa for 30 years.

Visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. with military honors at 5 p.m. by Alpena V.F.W. Post 2496. Visitation will continue Friday at Word of Life Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Rev. Gary Smith officiating.

Interment will be at Wilson Cemetery. The family would like any donations to go to Gideons International or Word of Life Baptist Church.