Wallace Manning Obituary

Wallace Charles Manning, 97, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Plano, Texas. He was born April 4, 1928, in Racine, Wisconsin to Fred and Irene (Eisenhut) Manning.

Wally grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where he graduated from Horlick High School in 1946. He worked delivering blocks of ice for “ice boxes” and for a local funeral home. Wally was called to serve for WWII, but the war ended before he shipped out. He served in the US Army during the Korean War assigned to the Fifth Army 330th Artillery Service Battery from 1950 to 1952 in Germany.

Wally married the love of his life, Marilyn Jean Gloede, on October 27, 1951, in Racine, Wisconsin. They were happily married for over 65 years. They moved to Dallas, Texas in 1958 to escape the cold and snow of Wisconsin! They raised their only child, daughter Judy, in the Lake Highlands area and moved to Plano, Texas in 1986. Upon arrival in Dallas, Wally worked selling furniture at Sanger-Harris, then sold lighting to many home builders in the growing Plano area at Rogers Electric. Wally was a “handy man” and could always be found in his garage making or fixing something.

Wally was a member of Preston Meadow Lutheran Church since 2005. He and Marilyn enjoyed events with the OWLS (Older Wiser Lutherans) and traveling. In the past few years, he appreciated living with his daughter Judy. He loved looking at the squirrels, birds and flowers in his beautiful backyard. He enjoyed a Whataburger and chocolate malts and was an avid watcher of Wheel of Fortune, Smugglers, and Dateline. Both dogs, Shellbe and Jordan, were always laying close by. He especially enjoyed visiting his friend Ben Gunnarson at Harbor Chase to listen to entertainer “Tony Macaroni” sing Rat Pack songs.

In June 2018, Wally and Judy had the opportunity to travel with good friends Ben Gunnarson and his daughter, Andrea Janak, on a DFW Honor Flight #38. Along with 47 other veterans, they flew overnight to Washington DC to visit each of the armed services memorials, Arlington Cemetery, and be honored at dinner for their service. It was an amazing father/daughter time and an honor to travel with other devoted, honorable veterans.

Wally was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Jean Manning, parents Fred and Irene (Eisenhut) Manning, brothers Frederick Manning and James Manning and sisters Margaret Boudreau and Bernice Lott.

Wally is survived by his daughter, Judith “Judy” Manning of Plano, Texas, sisters-in-law Phyllis Manning (Fred) of Garner, North Carolina and Sharon Manning (James) of Seymour, Wisconsin as well as loving nieces, nephews, and family across Wisconsin, North Carolina and Virgina.

Judy is appreciative of all the friends who surrounded Wally with love and laughter. Special thanks to Charlin Health Services – Plano, especially Terri, Alma, Ramses, Janette and Sara for their kind care and support.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., July 23, 2025, at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church. If you wish to view the service online, please visit: https://pmlc.org/live

A private burial will be held at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial donation to DFW Honor Flight, 2201 Long Prairie Rd., Suite 107, PMB 376, Flower Mound, Texas 75022 or online at https://www.honorflightdfw.org/donate