Frederick Joseph Manning

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Manning; parents Joseph and Marie Manning; and sister, Joan Martin.

He will be remembered by his children Fred (Nancy) Manning Jr., Debra (Jon) Meyers, Thomas (Marit) Manning, Stephen (Corinne) Manning and Kenneth Manning; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Mary (William) DeWitt and Kathleen Hammond; brother, Joseph (Joyce) Manning; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

After graduating from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1955, Fred served his country with pride in the United States Air Force. Assigned to a squadron as a fighter jet mechanic in England, Fred met Joyce, his former wife, and the mother of their six children. When he returned to civilian life in 1959, there was no place for a jet mechanic as jets were not yet in civilian use.

After trying his hand at other work, Fred found employment and his passion with the C & O Railroad, where he worked for the next 29 years. Railroading would become part of his blood and, in his later years, he spent many hours in the basement with his model railroad layout and many locomotives, engines and cars of all kinds.

Fred was a longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic church in Grandville, where he attended regularly and taught religious education classes for several years. Fred loved fixing things, was an avid coin collector, and had a lifelong love of education and self- improvement.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2019, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie, S.W., Grandville, MI 49418, with visitation from 10 - 11 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Wyoming, Michigan.

In honor of Fred and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcares.com.