Harold Wayne Manion

Harold Wayne “Bearcat” Manion, age 79, of Bedford, IN passed away on May 27th after health issues he experienced post-hip replacement surgery in March. Wayne was born on April 1, 1944, to Harold Everett and Marie Hale Manion in Needmore, IN. After graduating from Needmore High School in 1962, he went to work at General Motors, Franklin, and his Uncle Marvin Manion’s gas station in Oolitic, IN before returning to work at General Motors for the next 30+ years until his retirement in 1998. At the age of nineteen, Wayne met Teresa Marie Parker and they married on October 2, 1964. To this day, Teresa still sees Wayne as the most handsome man she ever met with a crew cut, full lips and smelling of Aqua Velva and spearmint gum. He was the love of her life. They were young and in love, and through all of life’s ups and downs, they worked hard to stay together and would have celebrated 59 years of marriage later this year. They went on to have three children: Kelli Marie Taylor (Ty) of Carmel, IN; Anthony Wayne “Tony” Manion of Indianapolis, IN and Melinda Kay “Mindy” Stancombe of Bedford. In his younger years, Wayne enjoyed riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, bowling, pitching horseshoes, and finding morel mushrooms. He spent half his life at the family home in Springville, IN where he enjoyed growing a garden, riding his big red tractor, and taking his grandkids on 4-wheeler rides. He also enjoyed taking his pontoon boat to Patoka and Monroe lakes with his family and friends. Wayne enjoyed spending his retirement years with his family celebrating birthdays and holidays, sitting on his back deck watching the squirrels and beloved pets or sitting in his recliner watching auto-racing and national news on his big screen TV with his Boston Terrier Abigail “Abbie” on his lap. Preceding Wayne in death were his parents and in-laws Paul and Aleta May Parker in addition to brother-in-law’s Kent Weisheit, Denny Fortner, and Dan Parker. Wayne was blessed with many family members he loved dearly. In addition to his wife and children, he leaves behind his siblings Brenda Weisheit and Michael Manion both of Bedford, Rita (Benny) Franklin of Springville and Melanie (Lincoln) Reynolds of Needmore; Sister-in-laws Darlene Parker of Bedford, Patti Fortner of Greenfield, IN and Polly (Marty) Wilson of Springville; Grandchildren Jordan Crosby (Scott) Davidson of Indianapolis, Paul (Claire) Stancombe and Eli Stancombe of Bedford, Lauren and Mitch Taylor of Carmel; Great-grandchildren Parker and Frankie Davidson of Indianapolis. Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and life-long friends. Wayne loved the Lord, and his family takes consolation in knowing he is in a better place and no longer in pain. Wayne was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bedford for several years before Covid and health issues would no longer allow him to attend. The family has entrusted Allen Funeral Home located in Bloomington, IN for cremation services based on his wishes. A ‘Celebration of Life’ is planned for Sunday June 11th at 4:00PM at First Baptist Church. A meal will be served immediately after the celebration of life. The family invites you to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors or ASPCA – all causes Wayne loved and supported. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Tributes

Harold Wayne Manion

April 1, 1944 - May 27, 2023