Isaac Walter Manning

Isaac Walter Manning, 88, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Orchard Grove Extended Care Center in Benton Harbor.  A Homegoing Celebration will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Camellia Frye-Bogan & Pastor Kerwin Manning officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at Noon Saturday at the funeral home.  Donations in Isaac’s name may be made to Our Center for Better Living in Benton Harbor.  Those wishing to sign Isaac’s Guest Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.    Isaac was born February 9, 1928 in East Moline, Illinois to Newt Ezra & Beulah (Spain) Manning. He graduated from Southwestern High School in Detroit in 1944.  In 1965, he married Ramona Barrow in Toledo, Ohio. To this union their children Keesha and Kerwin Manning were born. Isaac was employed at Baron Drawn Steel in Toledo, Ohio for almost 20 years. He retired in 1986 as assistant manager.  He was a faithful member of First Church of God (Toledo), where he served as a deacon and sang bass in the Sanctuary Choir. Later in life he moved to the Benton Harbor area where he met and married the former Beverly Rudley on September 11, 1993. Isaac worked for many years as a handyman, until he was called to the ministry in 1996.  His son, Pastor Kerwin preached for his ordination service. Pastor Manning served First Church of God & Our Center for Better Living, both in Benton Harbor.  He was a member of Our Center for Better Living, was a visiting Clergy at Lakeland Hospital, and on the Board of Directors for Area Agency on Aging. He and Beverly would often minister together.  In his free time, Isaac enjoyed fishing, Detroit Tiger baseball, traveling, singing and spending time with his family.  He cherished the time spent with children.  Known for his love for God, his simple wisdom and of course his humor, Isaac was the life of every party and one of the friendliest people in the world. He didn’t meet any strangers, only friends. He will be missed but not forgotten by all.  Isaac is survived by the love of his life, his wife Beverly; his children, Keesha James of Toledo, OH; Kerwin (Madelyn) Manning of Altadena, CA, Dianne Carter of Toledo, OH; Isaac Baker of Toledo, OH; Darren (Patty) Rudley of Greenville, SC; his nephew who was like a son-Richard Manning; grandchildren-Saria (Brian) Newbern, David (Britnie) James, Jr., Jonathan James, Janel James, Madison Manning, Morgan Manning, Dosheika (Marcus) Adams, Christopher Williams, Megan Rudley, Tracy Smith & Tranaa Smith; nine great-grandchildren; his sister, Odessa Lynch of Chicago, IL; brother James (Sharon) Spain of Cupertino, CA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to mention.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings: Vivian Robinson, Gazella Cooper and Truman Manning, Sr.; a daughter Joni Rudley and beloved son-in-law David James, Sr.