Wendel O. Manning, 87

Wendel O. Manning, of Post Falls, passed away 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 Corps at the outbreak of World War II. He saw combat in the North Pacific, flying as a tail gunner in B-29 missions over Japan and 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 beloved 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 to a fault, and gave to many charities. In 1998 he moved to Coeur d’Alene to live close to his son Mike, and his family.

Wendel was a dedicated soldier, husband, father and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth and step-daughter 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, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements have been handled by English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. A remembrance is scheduled at noon Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Lake City Center in Coeur d’Alene.