Gene L. Manges, 84, of Bremen, left his worn out body behind and peacefully passed into the presence of Jesus at 11:58 am, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Signature Health Care of Bremen, where he resided for the past year. Gene was born on February 2, 1934 on a farm north of Bremen to the late Clifton and Florence (Botset) Manges and grew up there with his four siblings. He attended Madison School where he graduated near the top of his class in 1952 and participated in band, thespians, FFA, and baseball. He continued serving as catcher on many baseball teams in the following years. Gene also enjoyed fishing, and his ideal vacation was spent with his family in a rented cottage on one of the small lakes in the area. Gene loved to sing and added his clear, tenor voice to his church’s choir for many years. He also enjoyed singing in a barbershop chorus and quartet and as a soloist at weddings and funerals. Gene worked various jobs over the years and retired from Universal Bearings, where he worked in maintenance. He began Gene’s Repair Service in the 1980s and serviced appliances of many in the town of Bremen and the surrounding communities. Gene was a member of the Bremen Church of the Brethren where he served on various boards and as a trustee, and was instrumental in the building of the new church. He served two terms on the Bremen Hospital Board at the time the hospital was expanding. He also was Bremen Building Commissioner in the 1970s to help pay for college expenses, and was a member of the Lion’s Club. Gene was instrumental in building and transporting the Bremen float in the 1970s and received the Governors’ Award. Gene embodied the definition of integrity. He was honest, hardworking and trustworthy. He kept the town of Bremen in good repair. In recognition of his contributions, he was elected Bremen’s Man of the Year in 2014. He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis; three children, Steve (Karen) Manges of Huntington, IN, Kathy (David) Kolbe of Claypool, IN, and Jill (Dick) Balmer of Bremen; 13 grandchildren, Chris (Chandra) Manges, Matt (Beth) Manges, Brent (Becca) Manges, Dan Kolbe, Bryan Kolbe, Aaron Kolbe, Bekah Kolbe, Nathan Kolbe, Stephen Kolbe, Matt Kolbe, Valerie Unruh, Amanda (Keoni) Webster and Brooke (Cory) Wiley; and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Wilma LaVine of Wyatt and Lois (Bob) Freeman of Mishawaka. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a grandchild. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, May 20, 2018 at Church of the Bremen, 921 Woodies Lane, Bremen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, May 21, 2018 in the church with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will follow in Bremen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Church of the Brethren, 921 Woodies Lane, Bremen, IN 46506.
