Francis "Frank" William McManus

December 21, 1932 - April 27, 2019

Francis “Frank” William McManus, 86, lifelong resident of Traverse City, passed away April 27, 2019, peacefully at home surrounded by family. Frank was born on Old Mission Peninsula on December 21, 1932, to parents George and Frieda (Fromholz) McManus. He attended the Maple Grove one-room school house and graduated Traverse City High School Class of 1950. He also attended agricultural courses at Michigan State University. Afterwards, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps with two of his friends from the Old Mission Peninsula. On October 30, 1954, Frank married the love of his life, Leona Mae (Channell), at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mapleton. Shortly after their wedding, the newlywed couple moved to Cherry Point, North Carolina, where Frank was stationed. Though he was very proud of his service to his country, achieving the rank of Buck Sergeant, his love for farming and family drew him back home to Traverse City. He purchased orchards of his own, growing cherries and apples, and pressed the best apple cider around, which he sold at Pine Brook Farms, his family’s farm market on Hartman Road. Frank raised a family, tended his orchards and worked at Traverse City Iron Works, where he was a foundry foreman. Frank had many passions in life including deer hunting, mushrooming and fishing (to name a few). He spent many deer hunting seasons with his father, brothers, family and friends at "The Ranch." Frank was revered as an elite Euchre player and passed his passion for the game on to three generations. Next to his family, Frank was proudest of serving in the Marines and enjoyed his involvement with the Marine Corps League. Frank is survived by his amazing wife of 64 years, Leona; children Mark (Jean) McManus, Cheryl (Greg) Wolf, Brian (Ellen) McManus, Angela (Greg) Bott, Christopher (Denise) McManus, Melinda (Jim) Lautner and Joseph (Lanie) McManus; grandchildren Adam (Therese) McManus, Ben (Patty) McManus, Luke (Tammy) McManus, Elizabeth (Nick) Brief, Sarah (Dave) Stoltzfus, Rob (Megan) Wolf, Tim (Colleen) Wolf, Valerie (Salah Qutaishat) McManus, Julie (Rob) Gregg, Brad McManus, Andy (Danielle) Bott, Kristin (Dan) Goethals, Dave (Jessica) Bott, Aaron (Aschley) Bott and Brian (Katie) Bott, Nicole Wheeler, Maureen (Thomas) Pfaller, Christopher (Molly) McManus, Ginger (George) Newman, Clint Lautner, Lexi (Zach) Farrow, Amelia (Ryan) Davis, Rachel (Josh Wagner) McManus-Wagner and Kyle McManus; great-grandchildren Aria, Alivia, Angus, Parker, Gordon, Ryan, Cooper, Matthew, Michael, Madelyn, Aiden, Cameron, Danny, Josie, Gwennie, Camilla, Petra, Brooklyn, Syria, Coral, Caleb, Emily, Samuel, Maximus, Colton, Henry, Priya, Chase, Clare, Avery, Quinn, Owen, Sophie, Duncan, Thatcher, Eliza, Dominic, Keira, Kate, Oliver, Lillian, Clara, and expecting baby Farrow and baby Davis; brothers George (Clara) McManus, Art (Judy) McManus and Mike (Janet) McManus; sister Frieda (Roger) Thompson; sister-in-law Gloria McManus; his very special aunt Clara Moon; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law Antoinette “Toni” (Ron) Lints; brother D. Patrick McManus; nephews Jason and David Thompson; and great-grandson Mac Donald McManus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11AM, Saturday May 4, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 308 N. Cedar Street, Traverse City. Visiting hours will take place at the church Friday, May 3, 2019, from 5-8 PM (Rosary 7:30PM), and 1 hour prior to Mass. Frank will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Marine Corps League through Yagle Brothers Detachment 165, P.O. Box 426, Traverse City, MI 49685 or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Frank and his family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.