John H. Manning, “Papa Smurf” of Valparaiso, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004 at VNA Horton Hospice Center, Valparaiso. He was 70.

He was born May 28, 1934 in New Waverly, Ind. the son of Joseph and Mary (Sellers) Manning, both of whom preceded him in death.

On Jan. 10, 1959 in Crown Point, he married Irene Neyhart, who survives in Valparaiso.

He is also survived by three sons, Bruce Neyhart of Valparaiso, Belden (Tonya) Manning of Fla. and Christopher Manning of Valparaiso; four daughters, Beatrice (Karl) Sorba of Valparaiso, Brenda Manning of Portage, Belinda (Rod) Beres of Valparaiso and Amanda (Brian) Clowers of Portage; a sister June Lay of Lake Station; 11 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one on the way.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Jim Manning and two sisters, Janet Milokovich and Judy Nevil.

He was a resident since 1979 and retired in 1992 from Bethlehem Steel where he was employed for 26 1/2 years as a Millwright. He was a member of Chesterton Moose Lodge 1623, formerly a Lake Station member. He was a former volunteer of the Lake Station Fire Department. He was Past Governor of Chesterton Moose Lodge and a member of the Ritual Team. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy. He had as special interest in trains.

A funeral service, Rev. Edward Mitchell officiating, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 20 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park, Hobart.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home with Moose Lodge services Thursday evening at the Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Posted 8/19/2004