John Manning

John Manning passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016 in Lansing. Visitation will be at Maresh-Meredith Funeral Home, located at 803 Main Street in Racine, WI, Friday, March 18 from 5-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 19 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, located at 1503 Grand Avenue in Racine, WI, with Reverend Ron Gramza officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery in Racine, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be directed to the Lansing Fire Department and Ambulance Service, Lansing, IA 52151.
John was the son of Cyril Manning and Viola (Augedahl) Manning-Strub. He was born December 3, 1953 in Waukon and attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and St. George High School (Class of 1972) in Lansing and Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, WI. He lived in Racine, WI from 1974-2005.
John worked at Northern Engraving in Lansing, American Motors in Kenosha, WI, as an LPN at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Racine, WI, and for Racine County as an LPN/RN at Highridge/Ridgewood Care Center for over 25 years. He retired in 2005 and moved to Pompano Beach, FL and worked at HCR Manor Care in Delray Beach, FL until 2015. John was Director of Nursing at Ridgewood for several years and at Manor Care.
He had been a member and Union Rep at AMC, Local 310; President of the American Federation of Teachers Local 5039; and was a Charter Member of Highridge Jaycees. He was a member of the Move Committee, which was responsible for the design and decorating of Ridgewood Care Center and the move of the residents in 1986. John also served as Chairperson of the Grand Opening of Ridgewood Care Center.
John was preceded in death by his life partner of 40 years, Michael P. Garrity, October 12, 2013. John leaves behind their beloved feline daughters, Brandy and Bourbon; his stepfather, Jim Strub of Lansing; his brother, Don (Rosie) Manning of Lansing; his sisters, Ginny Manning (Joe Brandt) of Lansing, Sandee (Chuck) Weidenhoeft of Moline, IL, Debbie (Jim) Curran of Grafton, WI and Teri (Mike) Collins of Harpers Ferry; and 10 nieces and nephews, as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews. John is also survived by Mike’s family, Jim and Ann Garrity of Cincinnati, OH and their children, and Bob and Cheryl Garrity and their children, and Dominic and Rosie Cariello and their children, all from Racine, WI. John is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Gene Mueller of Lansing and Rick Sundin of Davenport. In addition, John is survived by his best friend, Fran Petrick and husband Gary; one aunt, Peg (Vern) Hingtgen; and numerous cousins and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Viola Manning; an infant brother, Tom; an infant sister, Mary Ellen; a sister, Judy (Mueller); a brother, Ron; as well as Mike and John’s other two children, Tess and Misty.
John and Mike enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England, Russia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Norway and many other places.