Jeffrey "Jeff" Russell Manning

Jeffrey "Jeff" Russell Manning, age 60, passed away unexpectedly on September 28, 2026, at his home in Waterford. He is survived by his beloved wife Ann Manning, cherished son Zachary Manning (Tami), his sister Patti Whiting (Clay), nieces Samantha Whiting (Christian), Kayla Whiting; step brother Randy Thayer, niece Leah Hughes, nephew James (Sharon) Thayer, step brother Rick Thayer (Danielle), niece Sydney Woodward (Sean), nephew Nick Thayer (Cristina); his mother Sue Smith (Todd) and his father Russ Manning; former wife Dawn Ward (George), step-sons Christopher Ayers (Nicole), Bret Somers (Jackie), step-grandchildren Kaiden Somers and Lili Somers; former brother-in-law Dave McDonald (Sharon), niece Heather Coonrod (Clinton), nephew Justin McDonald (Sam); brother-in-law Scott Crowell, sisters-in-law Karen Crowell, Kim Bradway and niece Samantha Strait (Josh); as well as six grandnieces and two grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his stepmother Yevonne Manning, sister-in-law Marsha Thayer, mother-in-law Betty Crowell, father in-law Jack Crowell, brother-in-law Jay Bradway and grandparents, aunts and uncles who were very dear to him.

Jeff grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, and graduated from Traverse City High School with the Class of 1984. After high school, he worked a variety of jobs before discovering his passion and building a successful career as a debt recovery and collections professional. For the past 37 years, Jeff worked in debt recovery, asset investigation, skip tracing, fraud detection, collections management, judgment enforcement and negotiation, and bankruptcy research and resolution. He was especially proud to have been deemed an expert skip tracer by Judge Keith Hunt of the 45B District Court in recognition of his exceptional investigative expertise. Jeff also generously used those skills in his personal life, helping friends reunite with long-lost relatives and guiding friends and family through strategies for handling financial difficulties.

Jeff’s greatest joy in life was his family, which, of course, included his loyal dogs through the years: Eddie, Dempsey, Heathbar, Micah, and Cass. He was a loving husband, devoted father, caring son and grandson, and beloved brother and nephew. Jeff was fiercely loyal and had an enormous heart. He was kind, generous, loving, funny, and thoughtful, often putting the needs of others before his own. He was also quite the prankster and loved making those around him laugh. Aside from getting married for the second time in Hawaii, vacations for Jeff were usually about what mattered most to him: family. His travels took him to visit loved ones in Cheboygan, Arizona, New Hampshire, Missouri, Florida, and California.

Jeff loved to have a good time, but at his core, he was also a homebody. He was always busy and took great pride in being productive. A neatnik through and through, Jeff enjoyed taking care of his yard and keeping the garage and storage areas clean and organized. He loved cooking and grilling, watching television, playing games on his phone, playing yard games—especially horseshoes—and enjoying bonfires in the backyard or by the lake. He enjoyed hosting euchre tournaments and watching football and baseball, especially his beloved Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers. And then there was his Ford Raptor, his pride and joy. Above all, Jeff was devoted to the people he loved. He selflessly cared for and assisted his wife, Ann, helping make her life better in countless ways until the very end.

The world is a little less bright without Jeff in it. He will be deeply missed for his smile, his compassion, his humor, his loyalty, and the love he shared so freely with those fortunate enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jeff’s honor to Paws With A Cause, an organization that has had a special place in the Manning family’s life. Ann has benefited from three service dogs through this wonderful organization over the years.

Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, from 2:00pm until the time of the Memorial Service at 5:00pm at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Drive, Rochester.