Joann Mary Manning

Joann (Berta) Manning, 82, born October 18, 1934 passed away to our Lord and family on Saturday morning, February 4, 2017. She was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana until she was welcomed in Fort Smith, Arkansas in early 2016. She worked many years for the Penn Harris Madison School District in Osceola, Indiana until retiring. She went on to work several more years for Press Gainey in South Bend, Indiana. During her years at Penn Harris Madison she was also a co-owner of two restaurants, The Thunderbird and Marcy’s both in Mishawaka, Indiana. Joann also loved and sang opera as a young woman and loved Richard Loutsenhizer, who preceded her in death.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Mary Berta, and her brother, Alex “Hoppy” Berta. She is survived by her only child, Gail Harley; her son in law, George Harley; two grandchildren, Christi Brown and Jennifer Harley. She was blessed with four great-grandchildren, Lauren Napier of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Hunter Boyette, Mackenzie Harley and Kaitlynn Bagley of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

The surviving family of Miss Manning would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Peachtree Village, and to Mercy Hospital, to the very loving and caring nurses in the Emergency, Intensive Care and Hospice Units Dr. Steve Nelson, Joann’s family thanks, you especially, for being her godsend at her last.

Cremation is under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood, Arkansas.