John Alexander Manley III age 84, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Sunday June 1, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services for John will be held at Berry Funeral Home in Shepherd on Thursday June 5 at 12:00 pm. The family will receive visitors starting at 10:00 am until the time of the service.
John was born April 3, 1941 in Shepherd, Michigan, the son of Eloise (Stilgenbauer) and John Alexander Manley Jr.. He graduated from Shepherd High School with the class of 1959. On July 29, 1961 he married the Love of his life, Sandra Jean Onstott in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Together they have 4 children, 9 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren and 3 great-grand- children who were the lights of his life. John Attended two years of college at CMU where he played trumpet with the marching band and because of his love for aviation and the Airforce, became a member of the ROTC. He received numerous certifications in the field of diesel mechanics.
John was an entrepreneur, owning and operating many businesses, from the age of 14 rebuilding outboard motors at Coldwater Lake, running gravel trucks, installing septic tanks, drilling water wells, selling snowmobiles and services. He began doing truck mechanical work at the age of 16. Later he worked as a diesel mechanic with Beard Oil, Pepsi Cola,Tri-State Hospital Supply, Schlumberger, retiring in1998 at the age of 57 from Fabiano Brothers Inc.. At which time he dedicated his passion to restoring Stearman Bi-plane Aircraft. From collecting airplane parts and his truck driving days, he traveled to all 50 states except for two.
John was very active in his young children’s lives. He spent time coaching Little league baseball, and as an assistant Boy Scout Leader, later becoming Head Scout Master. At 12 he developed his love for aviation by joining the Prop Nuts and continued this tradition with his children by joining other model airplane clubs. Later John became a private pilot and he and Sandra joined the EAA, AOPA, and SRA clubs. Their love of adventure and travel continued by joining the Model T Club and the gold prospecting Club. For twenty years; every summer he traveled with family to Alaska fishing and gold prospecting, and every winter to Arizona: searching for the motherload.
John lived a rich and fulfilling life. With an airstrip just outside the front window and a fishing pond in the backyard, Grandpa and Grandma’s retirement home was the family’s favorite hangout spot for all the grandkids; riding the golf cart, playing cards, eating popsicles and ice cream. He enjoyed aviation, traveling, camping, hunting, E-bay, gold-panning, gambling, but above all he loved his wife and family and never hesitated to lend a helping hand to someone in need. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have known him.
John is survived by his wife, Sandra, his children, Mark (Lyla) Manley, Laurie (Mike) Ecker, Brian (Michelle) Manley, and Kent (Jessica) Manley. Grandchildren Zachary, Johnathan, Mark jr Manley, Eric (Lisa) Ecker, Emily (Lucas) Logan, Ellyn (Tyler) Burrows, Dakota (Nichole) Manley, Jordyn and Morgan Manley. Great grandchildren Lacey and Archer Logan, Baker and baby brother Manley and step grandchildren Brooke, Rebecca, Tara, Cara, Brooke, Alexandria and Ricky. John is also survived by his sister Janet (John) Maddocks. Brother-in-laws Norman, Ronald (Kay), Richard (Susie), Dennis (Barb), and Gregg Onstott, sister-in-laws Cindy (Michael) Smith, Kathy (Jon) Spiris and Patsy Gross, Linda Onstott, and Lynn Onstott, many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law Donald and Helen (Baronik) Onstott, his sister Judith Hynes, brother-in-laws John Hynes, Ronald Horning, Kenneth, Philip, Thomas, Walter, Terry and Stanley Onstott, sister-in-laws Winona, Marilyn Jackie and Karen Onstott, and Sharon Horning, nieces Michelle Onstott and Suzi Bellinger, nephews John Maddocks and Mathew Onstott.
Luncheon immediately following the ceremony. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mt. Pleasant Heartland Hospice or to the Mt. Pleasant Young Eagles of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
