Jerry Paul Manning
September 4, 1938 ~ April 27, 2013
Jerry Paul Manning, 74, LeRoy, formerly of Bradford, passed away at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013, at his home. He was born Sept. 4, 1938, in rural Bradford to Paul Gilman and Julia Mildred (Blake) Manning. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Jo (Rediger) Manning, on Aug. 16, 1959, at Boyd''s Grove United Methodist Church. They have three children, Cynthia (Manning) Bush of Downs, Randall (Wendy) Manning of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Emily (Todd) Kelly of Downs. He also has nine grandchildren, Curtis, Andrew and Shane Bush, Tyler, Jacob and Brendon Manning, and Matthew, Leah and Brett Kelly; and two great-children, Abigail and Madelyn Bush. Also surviving are three sisters, Lois Martin of Chillicothe, Viola Foulks of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Colleen (John) Gerber of Halfway, Mo. He was preceded in death by a brother, David Manning; and a granddaughter, Julia Katherine Kelly. Jerry was a graduate of Bradford High School and attended Illinois State University. He worked at the Bradford Republican and the Henry News Republican for 43 years. He retired in 2001. Jerry and Linda traveled in their RV to many places - Alaska, Canada, Mexico and throughout the United States. They wintered in Florida for several years and settled in Zapata, Texas, for winters in 2006. Jerry was very active at Four Seasons (Zapata), playing his daily snooker games and fishing Lake Falcon. He also was active at the Zapata United Methodist Church. He loved, loved, loved the game of basketball, whether he was playing it or watching it. He also was an excellent woodworker and spent hours on projects. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was the most easy going, gentle, kind and honest man you would know. Kotie, his most loyal dog companion, was always at his side and the love was mutual. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Boyd''s Grove United Methodist Church, rural Bradford. The funeral service will follow at noon with the Rev. Ken Burgard officiating. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery, rural Bradford. A celebration of life dinner will be held in the fellowship hall at Boyd''s Grove United Methodist Church. All friends and family are encouraged to attend to remember Jerry.
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