Michael Manning

Michael Manning

On February 4th 2019, Michael Deverl Manning left the pain of this mortal existence to peacefully enter into the waiting arms of his parents and his Father in Heaven. He was born October 19th 1955 in Ontario, Malheur County Oregon, to Eldon Deverl Manning and Daisy Arleane Lemon Manning. What a joy he brought to the family. He was the oldest grandchild in the Manning line, and the oldest great-grandchild on the Wickham side.

He moved with his family to California in 1963. It was there that he aspired to be a major league baseball player. He had the skills that it took. He usually played short stop, but could also pitch and catch with great skill. During a pre-game warm-up in his junior year of high school, he stepped on a ball on the field during a mad dash to catch a line drive, and broke his ankle. That was a year ending injury that devastated him. At least he had his senior year to look forward to. His senior year brought in a new coach that wanted to develop his own team, so Mike rarely got to play when the major league scouts were watching. Sports were always on his mind growing up. If the family wasn't on the baseball field watching a game, they were usually at a race track watching him race dirt bikes.

His family moved to Utah in 1973, the year he graduated from high school. He stayed in California to try to pursue his interests. While in California, he bought his first car for $100, a 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass. That started his love for cars. He had several “Muscle Cars” over the years many of which he bought and sold, saying he was going to fix them up. Unfortunately, there was always a better one around the corner or down the block. He moved to Utah about a year later. It was there that he met his first wife, Rita Bryant. They were married in June 1977 and were blessed with three beautiful daughters. Michelle Bautista, (Raul), Melanie, (Brandon Schmitt), and Jodi Burnett (Andrew).

He loved to go camping and fishing with his daughters when they were younger. He also liked to take them to car shows and gun shows

He worked for several years in the mining industry. The first mine jobs he had were in the Tintic and Burdin mines in Eureka Utah. The mines where he worked were both open pit and underground mines. He had many stories to tell from his experiences. The mines were both gold and coal. These jobs took his family to Wyoming and California, and then brought him back to Utah.

Rita and Mike were later divorced.

Mike met and then later married Eileen Renee Pratt on July 14th 2001. At that time he was working for Davis County in the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He was also employed by ATK and worked on the Booster for the Space Shuttle. At the time of his Passing, he was employed by Dannon where he had many friends.

He is survived by his wife Eileen, his three daughters and their spouses. Eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. His sister Lesta Hermansen (Scott) and his brother David (MaryAnn), and his sister Kristy Fortner. Also several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held At Peel Funeral Home, 8525 W. 2700 S. in Magna on Saturday February 9th at 10am. There will be a viewing at 9-9:45 am. Prior to the Services.

His final resting place will be Pleasant Green Cemetery in Magna.

In lieu flowers, Eileen has asked that you donate to the Mike Manning Memorial Fund for his three daughters at any Branch of Cyprus Credit Union.