George Charles Manning, Sr.

Granville - Calling hours for George Charles Manning, Sr., 84 of Granville will be held 2:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Second Presbyterian Church, 42 E. Church St., Newark with a Masonic Service at 6:00 p.m. A private family funeral service will be held at Law-Baker Funeral Home with burial at South Lawn Cemetery, Utica.

Charles died December 1, 2011 at Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital, Columbus. He was born December 28, 1926, in Crab Orchard, KY to the late George E. and Gracie (Baugh) Manning.

He is survived by his wife, Mary "Polly" Manning of Granville; sons and daughter-in-law, George Charles and Bonnie Manning, Jr. of Granville, Ronald Lee Manning and Diana Stradley Lee of New Albany; daughter, Christina Johnson Manning and her husband Randy William Fletcher of Granville; grandchildren, Heather (Chris) Dyer, Robert Shiffer, James (Heidi) Shiffer, Lyssa Leigh Manning, George Charles Manning III; sister-in-law, Sue Reynolds Manning of Coshocton; nieces, Jeanne Tyson of Newark, Debra Brown of Coshocton; nephew, Michael (Karen) Manning of Coshocton.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret A. "Maggie" (Hail) Manning who passed away March 9, 1972; brother, Owen D. Manning; niece, Bonnie Owenette Cottrell.

He was a member of Utica United Methodist Church and attended Second Presbyterian Church, Newark. Charles graduated from Crab Orchard High School in KY, attended Eastern Kentucky University and took auditing courses in accounting at The Ohio State University. He retired in 2001 from Licking Rural/Energy Cooperative, received the Utica Sertoma Service to Mankind Award in 1991 and was inducted into the North Fork Hall of Fame in 2003.

Charles, having been born in a very rural Kentucky county, found a great deal of satisfaction in and admiration for the Rural Electrification Program. It was his pleasure to be involved for more than 30 years as Engineer, Comptroller, Assistant Manager and General Manager, since 1963, of Licking Rural Electrification, Inc., Utica. It was great for him to be involved in something that he really believed in and was constantly trying to improve. The same commitment held true in his daily living, he believed in people. He believed in serving his community to the best of his ability and he believed in striving together for the good of all. He believed every day offered new challenges and new opportunities for him.

Charles was affiliated with numerous Rural Electric groups: Past President, Vice President and member of Ohio Rural Electric Managers' Assn; Director, Past President and Vice President, Rural Electric Supply Corp.; Director, United Utility Supply, Louisville, KY; Former Director, Cardinal Operating Co., Columbus; Director, Buckeye Power, Inc., Columbus and founding member and President, NCSC (National Coop Service Corp), Washington, DC; Director, Secretary, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. "CFC"; Director (1995-1998) Heath-Newark-Licking Co. Port Authority.

He was a member of Newark Rotary Club; member and former Director, Newark Area Chamber of Commerce; Executive Board member, Licking Co. Council of the Boy Scouts of America; member and former Trustee, Utica United Methodist Church; Masonic Order and member, 32nd Degree Masons, Valley of Columbus; former member and Vice President, North Fork Board of Education; member Licking Co. Economic Development Committee; Director, Ohio Farm and Home Electrification Council, Ohio State University; member Advisory Board for Licking Co. Commissioners; member of Farm Bureau, Centennial Grange, Licking Co. Historical Society and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Charles was President of the Utica Businessmen's Assn., Secretary/President Utica Community Fund, Secretary and member Utica Redskin Booster Club, Co-Scout Master, Utica, Past Master Utica Lodge #291, Past Patron Utica Eastern Star, Who's Who in Ohio, 1974; Outstanding Americans, 1975; Who's Who U.S. Executives, 1989; Price Builder Award - Newark Area Chamber of Commerce.

Contributions may be made to Licking Co. Aging Program, Inc. 745 E. Main St., Newark, OH 43055 or the charity of your choice.

Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N Main St., Utica is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visit www.law-bakerfuneralhome.com to extend condolences to the family.