Carl Mantey

Carl E. Mantey, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Port Austin, Wednesday, August 27, 2008, surrounded with the love of his family. Carl was born November 20, 1922 on the family farm in Fairgrove Township, the son of the late Fritz H. Violet (Coler) Mantey. He graduated from Fairgrove High School at 16 years old as Valedictorian of the class of 1939. Carl then attended Michigan State University for the next three years before being inducted into the armed forces during World War II. After the war, he returned to the family farm, joining his father, Fritz, and brother, Ed, and eventually helped to create Great Lakes Hybrid Seed Company. Carl enjoyed telling people that he started his farming career behind a team of horses, cultivating one row of corn at a time. On March 4, 1950, he was united in marriage to the former Dorothy Tuckey in Cass City, and the couple shared over fifty-eight years together. Carl and his family were active members of the Caro United Methodist Church and he was a former chairman of its building committee and held many other board positions throughout the years. He was also a member of the Almer Township Board of Trustees for many years. For his entire life, Carl enjoyed singing, to His glory, in the church choir, and at weddings. Carl was an avid traveler and was happiest behind the wheel of his motor home, in which he and his family visited forty-nine states. He also enjoyed reading western novels and going to deer camp with his boys and extended family. Carl is survived by his wife, Dorothy Mantey of Port Austin; three children, Charles F. Mantey and his wife, Mary Jo of Port Austin, Pamela Mantey of Port Austin, James Mantey of Howell; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Katie Ward Carter, Becky Jo Mantey, Timothy Kimberly Mantey, Andrew Lori Johnson, Kimberly Johnson, Erin and Jason Mantey; five great-grandchildren and two more expected shortly; one sister-in-law, Rose Mantey of Fairgrove and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by three sisters and one brother, Fran Alles, Crystal Hegman, Anne Tinker and Edgar Mantey.