The wake for Father John E. Manning, senior priest-retired, will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Sept. 3 in St. Ladislas Church, 2345 Bassett Road, Westlake. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost will be the presider, with Father John McNulty as the homilist. Father Manning’s wake will continue until 6 p.m.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will celebrate Father Manning’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Sept. 4 in St. Ladislas Church. Father Paul Rosing will be the homilist.
Father Manning, 79, died on Aug. 27.
He was born April 4 1946 to the late John and Dolores (Burkhart) Manning. Father Manning was educated at Ascension School in Cleveland, Borromeo Seminary College in Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
He was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 27, 1972 by Bishop Clarence Issenmann in St. Columbkille Church, Parma.
After ordination, his first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Louis Parish in Cleveland Heights. On June 27, 1974, he joined the faculty of Borromeo Seminary. During this assignment, he served as associate judge of the diocesan tribunal effective Sept. 21, 1983 and prosynodal judge of the tribunal, effective Nov. 1, 1983. On June 14, 1989, Father Manning was appointed parochial vicar of St. Bartholomew Parish in Middleburg Heights.
He was transferred on June 21, 1994 to serve as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cleveland. During this assignment, he served as a pastor consultor (2003-2008), he was a member of the College of Consultors, effective Oct. 1, 2005 and he also served as a presbyteral convener for the Cleveland Northwest District (2006-2009).
On June 1, 2015, Father Manning was appointed delegate for senior priests. He also served on the faculty of Saint Mary Seminary. During this assignment, he served as administrator of the following parishes: Our Lady of Peace and St. Adalbert, both in Cleveland (February to June 2017); St. Patrick, Bridge Avenue, Cleveland (July 2017 to March 2018); St. Mark, Cleveland (September to December 2018) and Holy Trinity, Avon (May to August 2021).
Father Manning retired on July 1, 2021.
After retirement, he served as a senior priest-retired member of Presbyteral Council, effective June 1, 2023.
Those who knew him said Father Manning was a great teacher who was able to bring history alive with his colorful stories, particularly of the local Church of Cleveland. They said he would talk about the great characters of the past and remind people that there were many characters still in the making. They also said his smile, laugh and joyful presence will be missed.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park.