Michael O. Manley, Sr., 61 years old of Van Wert, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2015 in the Van Wert County Hospital Emergency Room. He was born on Tuesday, December 22, 1953 in Decatur, Indiana the son of the late Richard O. Manley and the late Mildred (Knittle) Manley. He married Mary C. Towner on October 8, 1976 in Darmstadt, Germany. Michael served his country in the United States Army from 1973 to 1976 in Germany. He was employed by Automatic Sprinkler in Monroe, Indiana from 1979 to 1991 and Patton Electric in New Haven from 1991 to 1998. In 1998, he retired and became the master of his home, where he was a wonderful cook. Surviving are his wife, Mary C. Manley of Van Wert; son, Michael Manley, Jr. of Van Wert; daughter, Michelle (Marco Smith) Manley of Van Wert; daughter, Marci (Justin) Holm of Hill City, MN; sister, Patricia Bleeke of Decatur; sister, Cindy (Jesse) Mendez of Decatur; sister, Peggy (Roger) Geimer of Akley, MN; and sister, Kathy (Dave) Brown of Decatur. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Tina Pontius; Gavin Smith; Dominik Manley; Katie Bolenbaugh; Paige Smith; Brittanee Stant; Synthea Stant; Gabriel Manley; Justice Manley; Savanna Holm; River Holm; and Ryder Holm. Preceding Michael in death were two brothers, Marvin & Timothy Manley. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home with Celebrant Molly Farthing officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #43 of Decatur. Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 6 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. Preferred memorials are to Fresenius Medical Care.
