John "Jack" Manninen

John Richard Manninen June 11, 1946 - February 8, 2021 John Richard Manninen, of Farwell MI passed away unexpectedly in his home on February 8, 2021. John “Jack” was born June 11, 1946 to Fredrick and Rozella Manninen of Anvil MI. He was the youngest of 5 siblings. Jack grew up in a small mining town in the Upper Peninsula. He graduated from Bessemer High School going on to attend Gogebic Community College. While attending school there he competed in basketball and tennis along with becoming valedictorian. After obtaining his Associates degree he went on to his favorite alma mater, the University of Michigan. While working to receive his Bachelors Degree in Literature there he played tennis for U of M and tutored several athletes. He then went on to receive a Masters Degree plus at Central Michigan University. He loved knowledge and went on to become a teacher at Sebewaing High School. Then, as the schools combined, he was a proud teacher and coach for Unionville Sebewaing Area High School for 32 years. He spent his time there teaching his love for American History, Economics, and coaching basketball. Not many have the opportunity to do what they love, but Jack did. He coached under his mentor and friend Oland Dunkel for several years before becoming the head varsity basketball coach at USA. He was a great coach that won a Regional Championship and making it to the Quarter Finals and even made it into the Michigan Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame for all his successful seasons. Jack had several chapters in his life, after becoming a teacher he married his first wife Maria (Skiba) Callahan. While together they had five unique and amazing children that he loved dearly. He took the time to have an individual special relationship with each one. Even as they became adults and had moved to start their own families he always had a special place in his heart for each one and his beautiful grandchildren. After his retirement he married current wife Staci Gaeth February 5, 2006 Superbowl Sunday in Las Vegas. They both had a strong love for sports from working down in Miami for the Dolphins football and the Marlins baseball team to coming back to Michigan to coach boys varsity basketball in Farwell together. They had two dogs that they loved dearly and he would find any excuse to go for a truck ride and spoil them. After moving to Farwell into the woods, he soon found himself a hobby of making rustic log signs. A hobby soon became a business and many in the community have at least one hanging at their home. He kept busy with multiple jobs from driving the Amish bakery to market and walking and maintaining a nature trail and feeding the fish. Basketball season was Jack’s absolute favorite time of year. From the first tip off of the season all the way to the finals the TV always had multiple games playing with much excitement and cheering. Jack was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Jack is survived by his wife Staci Gaeth, sons Todd (Andrea) Manninen Tyler (Jennifer) Manninen, daughters Stacy (Bob) Querback, Kelly (Steve) Haskill, Tara ( Brandon) Allendorfer, grandchildren Hope and Grant Manninen, Adian and Brielle Querback, Ethan and Emily Haskill, Bennette Manninen, and Blaine Allendorfer and half sister Mary Heinrich, and brother George (Barbra) Manninen. Preceding him in death was his parents Fredrick and Rozella Manninen, half brother Robert Manninen, and brother Thomas Manninen. Due to Covid-19, memorial services are being planned by family to be held in Sebewaing, MI late spring/ early summer at USA school. Memorial donations may be given to either the Patriot Pride or Athletic Booster Club at USA schools or Bay Shore Camp.