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Edwin J. Manion Obituary

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Edwin J. Manion

Trenton,, MI

December 13, 1939 - November 27, 2020

Edwin J. Manion Obituary

Edwin Manion passed away peacefully at Age 80, on November 27, 2020, in Chelsea, MI. Survived by his loving family: son, Edwin Manion, Dearborn Heights, MI; daughters, Sharon Lane (Sandro), Juneau, AK, Maureen Malick (Dave), Robinson Twp., PA, and LaVerne Cotham (Steve), Pinckney, MI. His beloved grandchildren: Kyle Kahklen, Rachel Malick, Nathan (Mackenzie) Cotham, Valerie Malick and Erin Cotham; sister: LaVerne Alexander, Old Lyme, CT ; many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and caring friends including his dear friend Mary. Ed was born to Edwin and Eleanor Manion in Turtlecreek, PA. He was raised in Plum Borough with many close cousins and relatives in the Pittsburgh area. Ed graduated from Plum High School Class of 1957 where he played baseball and was voted best actor his senior year. He met his future wife, Jean Koban, in high school and as a young couple they started a family. Ed worked hard to support their growing family. He attended Slippery Rock where he ran cross country and completed his degree from California University of PA in 1963. He began a career in Westmoreland County as a special education teacher in a two room schoolhouse, and made great connections with his students. In 1966, Michigan's car industry presented a job opportunity at Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Stamping Plant. He became a foreman for the new Mustang, and moved his family to Michigan. His teaching skills steered his career in the new Quality Management field. He led a team that pioneered the design of Quality Processes for Wayne Stamping Plant (ISA). In preparation for Ford's new plant, he traveled often to Japan with Ford management and UAW teams to study Quality Management operations in Japanese auto plants. He is highly spoken of by those who worked with him, and his processes are still in place today. He was proud of his Masters of Business Degree that he earned at Marygrove College at age 58. He retired from Ford Motor Company after 32 years, and continued in consulting. Later in life he married Evon McCluskey, she preceded him in death. He enjoyed traveling to see family and visiting the National Parks. He drove 10,000 miles, solo, roundtrip to Juneau, Alaska in 2000 to visit his daughter. Throughout the years, he was lucky enough to visit all 50 states. Ed enjoyed model trains & model T's, boating, and stock car racing, including the daredevil "figure 8" racing at Flat Rock Speedway. He was a dedicated fan of the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh. He also served as Councilman for the City of Gibraltar for 7 years, and was appointed Chair of the Waterways Commission. Ed's one line jokes and well timed, button-pushing stabs often left his friends and family speechless. His heart was sensitive and he never hung up the phone without telling his family "I Love You." There will be a Memorial Gathering in the Spring of 2021 in his beloved home town of Pittsburgh.

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Events

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