Age 69, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2021. He is survived by Kathy Philbert Manning, his loving wife of 21 years, stepson Steve Philbert, siblings Charlotte (Gene) Lemon, Joe (Meg) Manning, nieces, nephews, and a great-nephew. J.R. was preceded by his parents, Joe and June Manning.
Born in Akron, Ohio, the family moved to Michigan and then to Brown Deer, Wisconsin. J.R. attended Algonquin Elementary School, Brown Deer High School, UW-Milwaukee-Mass Communications and Cardinal Stritch University-Business Administration. He mastered Dale Carnegie’s Sales Course and is a Certified Technical Trainer. J.R. was a member Brown Deer U.C.C and St. John U.C.C in Germantown serving as a liturgist and on several committees.
You may have met J.R. in band or as part of the AV Club, on the golf course, as a shoe salesman, men’s clothing salesman, car salesman, school bus driver, furniture deliverer, selling/supporting CAD software for architects, President of Enpro Training (Teaching High-end Desktop Publishing Software at Cray Research, Kodak, John Deer, and State farm to name a few), field manager for Wendy’s Sign Project, retail field service representative, or selling Pampered Chef products.
You may have seen J.R.’s award-wining writing/photos specializing in non-fiction subjects of a historical nature in such places as The Restorer Magazine (Model A Club of America), Wheeling the A (Wisconsin Chapter) as Loose Lug Nuts, Landmarkhunter.com, Bridgehunter.com, Doors Open Milwaukee, Old Milwaukee and Wisconsin Memories Group J.R. was a founding member of the Ford Model A Foundation, a member of the Wisconsin Chapter, Great Lake A’s Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America, Singlefest and held many positions in these organizations.
You may have met J.R. on a road trip; The Lincoln Highway 2003 Cross Country Tour in Sonja, his 1929 Model A., the Lake Geneva Poker Rally, historic sites in any number of states or his quest to go to all of Wisconsin’s twenty-seven counties.
Your love of Scotties may come from meeting one of his boys. You may have shared J.R.’s love of music from classical to blue grass to the pipe organ. You may have met J.R. at a Yelp event exploring new places.
You may have met J.R. on a park bench with a cup of coffee and ruminated about life. It doesn’t matter where or how, you remember J.R. if you met him. He had a twinkle in his eye, an offer to help and kind word.
“Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” ~ Auntie Mame
“Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.” ~Porky Pine in Walt Kelly's Pogo
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 2 from 5 PM to 7 PM, Memorial from 7 PM to 7:30 PM at SCHMIDT AND BARTELT FUNERAL HOME, N84W17937 Menomonee Ave, Menomonee Falls. Storytelling to follow at BUB’s IRISH PUB, N116W16218 Main St, Germantown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Model A Ford Foundation – Museum or the Nevada Northern Railway Museum (home to Dirt and Dirt Jr the resident cats)
To watch the service with your ZOOM account, please click here at time of service.
