Joseph Manning, 96 years old, died Aug. 25th after a long and full life. He was born in 1923 In Okarche, OK to Frank J. Manning and Mary K. (Determan) Manning. He grew up in the Okarche and the El Reno area which is located just outside of Oklahoma City. He graduated from St. Josephs High school which is now the site of where the Murrah federal Building once stood. After graduating high school, he worked at Safe way and the Tinker Air force base before joining the coast guard during World War II and sailed on the ship Cepehus. Following the war, he started working at the V.A. Hospital near what is now Will Rogers World Airport. In 1953, the VA Hospital in OKC was completed and Mr. Manning went to work in the boiler plant and worked his way up to Asst. Chief Engineer. He retired in 1980 after 38 years of service. He was a member of the NARFE (National Associations of Retired Federal Employees). He married Genevieve Kelly Manning at Our Lady’s cathedral in Oklahoma City, and they shared 59 years of marriage. He had attended Sacred Heart Church in Oklahoma City and then Our Lady’s Cathedral for 72 years. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and the Foresters. He was a member of the property committee at Our Lady’s including projects at Bishop John Carroll School. He was the first male girl scout and worked on projects at the scout house where Connor center now stands. He is preceded in death by his wife Genevieve in 2007, siblings, Maurus, Frances, Veronica, Catherine, and John Henry. Joseph is survived by daughters Sheryl Hayes and 3 children, Amy (David) Mach, Glen Hayes and significant other Jennifer Abretske and Deborah (Brandon) Nagy; Deborah Manning Garis and two children, David (Cheryl) Findlay, and Jennifer Berry. Also surviving are 7 great grand-children, Mia, Brayden, Angie, Sara, Ryan M., Hunter, and Ryan H. as well as 3 great-great grandchildren, Ben, Haley and Zach and many loving devoted nieces, nephews and their families. The family would like to thank all who were involved in Joseph’s care the past two plus years. Including the Thompson’s and their staff at Bellevue health and rehab facility. As well as Good Sheperd Hospice. Visitation will be held 8 am to 8 pm., Friday, August 28, 2020 with family to greet friends from 5 pm to 7pm at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper, 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116. Mass will be 10 am., Saturday, August 29, 2020 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3214 N Lake Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 with burial to follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.
