George Manthey

George William Manthey born 3 June 1930 Chicago Hts. Ill; passed away 27 April 2015 Lancaster, CA. Age 84 As a pilot he always said, "The best flight is a boring flight." But there was no way that his own flight was boring. In 1948 at age 18, he joined the Navy, served before, during, and after the Korean War (10 years in service as radar/electronics technician, and for many years in FAA as a Systems Engineer.) He climbed Mt. Fuji, rode on a train outracing an avalanche in Switzerland, fished for tuna in Alaska, drove left-handed through a sheep herd in Ireland (no collisions), a country where he learned to enjoy stout and hate black pudding. He stood on the deck of the Arizona in Pearl Harbor and he danced to loud music with Marilyn on the dining table of a moving sailing ship (There was rum involved). He loved to fly, flew private planes for 20 years, taught others to fly for ten years, and NEVER had a serious accident; his flight plans were models of precision and foresight: airplanes fly on logic and so did George. With Marilyn beside him he once piloted his small Cessna Cardinal from California to Illinois, a real test of a marriage. And all the while for 63 years he kept a good job and provided a good life for his family. In many ways an old-school father, he built strong daughters: Melinda and Karen. He had a wicked wit until Alzheimer's came ten years ago to steal it all away. George was born to a German machinist father (Albert) and a barmaid mother (Hilma Minna Ziegenhagen), whom he claimed was the original St. Pauli Girl beer model. There is, however, some question about that. He passed Momma's safety tips onto his grandchildren: "Never run down the middle of a busy street with scissors in your mouth." A devotee of the story of the wedding at Cana, George easily blended religion with joyful living. But while Jesus actually brought out the good stuff at Cana, George preferred a glass of cheap red: California Burgundy. Life, after all, was not something to endure but to figure out and celebrate. This he believed; this he taught his two daughters and his grandchildren. This he lived. Born in Chicago Heights IL; raised in Steger, IL. Attended Bloom Township High School, joined photography and radio clubs (1947-48) when Speed Graphic cameras, plate film, soldered wires, and vacuum tubes were the rule; graduated in 1948. Joined the Navy 1948. While on leave he met Marilyn Alice Goodman at a Disciples of Christ church event in Chicago Hts. They dated for a while, married in that church July 15, 1952 and shared that religion all his life. She once wrote that she loved his smile. Lived with his family in San Diego, CA.; Yokosuka, Japan; Boston, Phoenix, Lancaster. George is survived by his wife Marilyn; daughters, Karen Manthey and Melinda Currado (Mike); grandchildren, Mario (Heather), Micah (Amy Jane) and Matthew Currado and 4 great-grandchildren. Three of George's siblings were born in Germany: Wally, Erich, and Heinz. George and two other siblings were born in Illinois: Gertrude and Arthur. All are deceased. Special thanks to Sarah's Care Home and Procare. Services will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 PM, May 5, 2015 at First Christian Church, 1702 E. Ave. J. Lancaster.