Francis L. "Duke" Manning

August 25, 1930 - June 27, 2014

Francis L. "Duke" Manning, 83, of Huntley, passed away Friday, June27, 2014 at JourneyCare Hospice in Woodstock after a two week illness. He was born August 25, 1930 in Elgin, the son of Philip and Myrtle (Ryan) Manning of Rutland Township, Hampshire. On December 26, 1954 he married Mary Elizabeth Hemmer at St. Mary Church in Huntley. Francis was a 1948 graduate of Huntley High School and engaged in farming until 1957 when he was employed at Enos Conley and Sons in Huntley. He remained at that location under the subsequent owners, Custom Farm Services and McHenry Farm Service as the warehouse manager. His last years with McHenry Farm Service were spent at the Woodstock warehouse until his retirement in 1991. Mr. Manning served on the Agriculture Advisory Committee at Huntley High School and on the Huntley village Planning Commission before being elected to the Huntley Village Board in 1973. He was a collector of model tractors and a fan of NASCAR racing. He will be deeply missed by all. Mr. Manning is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Beth; three daughters, Regina and Elizabeth Manning, Marian Paquette; son, Paul (Mary) Manning; grandchildren, Anthony Ruth, Caroline Campbell, Robert and Mark Paquette, Jacob and Molly Manning; brothers, Philip (Mary Lou) Manning and Joseph (Nancy) Manning; sister Mary Rita (Earl) Collins and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Manning Conley; brother in law, Delmont Conley. Visitation will be on Monday, June 30, 2014 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the James A. O'Connor Funeral Home, 11603 E. Main Street, Huntley and will continue on Tuesday, July 1 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Rd, Huntley from 9:30 am until the 10:30 am Mass of Christian Burial  with Msgr. Stephan J. Knox officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary Cemetery in Huntley. Memorials in his name may be directed to the St. Mary Church Building Fund or to JourneyCare Hospice.