Elie Victor Manta

Elie V. Manta, age 87 of Bellevue, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 22, 2022. He was born in Detroit, MI in May of 1934, the third child of Romanian immigrants, Eli and Bucura Manta. He graduated from Pershing High School in 1952 and gained employment with the Grand Trunk Railroad. He was proudly drafted into the U.S. Army where he continued his education as a repairman of Steam Locomotives. After two years he was honorably discharged and continued his career with the railroad, eventually becoming a Locomotive engineer. He held several positions in management and as a union official.

After meeting at a USO in Virginia Beach, VA, Elie married Frieda Joan Dow, a nursing student from Morrilton, AR, making their home in Warren, MI in 1956. They relocated to Bellevue, MI in 1971 where “Lee” continued with the GTW Railroad. Elie became an important part of the Bellevue community with membership in the United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Village Council, Rescue Squad and Whirl-Away Square Dance Club. Other interest included fishing, camping, spending time with family and friends, travel and eventually a winter home in South Texas. Elie’s retirement began in 1993.

After 49 years of marriage, beloved wife Joan graduated to heaven in 2005. In 2006 he married Louise (Link) Starkweather. They continued life in Bellevue, wintering in McAllen, TX.

Left to cherish Elie’s memory are: his wife, Louise; sister, Mary (John) Tatomir of Palm Springs, CA; sisters-in-law, Elieen Dow of Fullerton, CA, and Neal DuPre’ of Peachtree City, GA; children, Victoria (Patrick) McEwan of Charlotte, Stephen (Val) Manta of Battle Creek, Virginia (Brenton) Nesseth of Battle Creek, and Donald (Ruth) Manta of Sanborn NY. Louise’ children, Debbie (Grey) Wilcox, Diane Bailey, Dena (Randy) Shumaker, Luanne Lakies. Many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Elie was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Cornelia Salistean of Cleveland, OH.

Services have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth Street, Bellevue, MI 49021. A memorial gathering will be held January 29, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 122 N. Main Street, Bellevue, MI 49021 at 2:00 P.M. with the memorial service beginning at 3:00 P.M. Pastor Don Manta officiating.

In honor of Elie’s life, in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to; Bellevue Good Samaritan Fund, 119 N Main St., Bellevue, MI 49021. You may visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family.