Wendel O. Manning

Wendel Manning

Wendel O. Manning, 87, of Post Falls, Idaho, died June 3, 2012.

He was born on the Fourth of July, 1924. A proud American, at 17 years old he lied about his age and joined the Army Air Corp at the outbreak of World War II. He saw combat in the North Pacific, flying as a tail gunner in B29 missions over Japan, and he earned a Purple Heart. He survived multiple B-17 plane crashes, including one that killed the rest of his crew and shattered his back, but still he served on. He lived his motto: Duty, Honor, Country and gave a life of service. In 1968, Wendel joined the Oregon National Guard and later entered the Oregon Guard Reserve, where he obtained an officer’s commission. Eventually his three sons would follow in his military footsteps, Gary and Ron to the Air Force, and Mike to the Army.

After the war, Wendel joined Douglas Aircraft and worked on manufacturing DC-5 aircraft, Aerojet General’s “Saturn V” rocket that put men on the moon, and the LEM propulsion system that brought them home on Apollo 13. At Douglas Aircraft, he met his wife, Ruth. The family moved from California to Oregon, where Wendel worked in the paper industry. He served as a leader in the Boy Scouts and would eventually serve hospice for many years as a volunteer chaplain in central Oregon. He was generous and gave to many charities. In 1998, he moved to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho to live close to his son, Mike, and his family.

Wendel was a dedicated soldier, husband, father and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth; and stepdaughter, Shirley.

He is survived by three sons, Ron (Marilyn) Manning of Toledo, Ore., Michael (Stephany) Manning of Coeur d’ Alene, and Gary Peyton of Weatherford, Texas; two sisters, Melvina Manning of Stockton, Calif. and Joy Funkhouser of Tracy, Calif.; 18 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A remembrance is scheduled at noon on Saturday, June 16, at the Lake City Center in Coeur d’Alene. The family has requested that any last respects be shown in the form of a donation to his favorite charity, hospice. An online memorial book for Wendel is available at www.englishfuneralchapel.com

English Funeral Home in Coeur d’ Alene is handling arrangements.



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