In Memoriam John M. Manley
From the Billings Gazette, September 22, 2015:
John M. Manley, born May 5, 1927, in Butte to John C. and Mary Jesich Manley, died Sept. 10, 2015, in Tacoma, Wash., after a long illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Joyce and Patsy; and his former wife, Mary.
John left high school in his senior year to attend night school business classes and work days to be of financial help to his mother. Prior to turning 18 and being drafted, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his tour of duty in the South Pacific aboard the USS Bell Grove.
Returning to Butte in 1946, he completed business courses and worked in the food service industry until choosing a career with New York Life Insurance Company in 1950. Successful in management, he was located in Tacoma, New York, and Anchorage, Alaska, where he opened the company’s first general office in Alaska after it gained statehood. In 1959, he became General Manager of the Billings Montana Office, until his retirement in 1985.
John was a ranch hand and ski jumper as a youth, a loving Dad, hunter, fisherman, collector of western art, small aircraft pilot, avid golfer, dog lover, traveler and champion of the needy. He was involved with Billings Boys and Girls Clubs, Dress a Child, Family Services, Rotary (a past president of the Billings club), The Elks, American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He continued with most of those interests and organizations and many new ones, after his move to Washington and marriage to Mary Catherine Cline Manley in September of 1986.
He is survived by his loving wife, and blended family: Mary and Darrold Schweigert, Bob and Lana Manley, Betsy and Lee Steffanich, Jackie and Bruce Hill, Liz Cline, Paul and Kim Cline, Teresa and Brad Cunningham, John and Jamie Cline, Catherine and Steve Weholt, 28 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cherished friends and his dog, Mike.
Memorials may be made to Manley Scholarship Fund at St. Charles Borromeo School or the Rotary Foundation in care of Tacoma North Rotary.