Ellery Mann

Easy going, laid back, and mild mannered, Ellery Mann was an extraordinary person to know and love. He was an active part of his community and made it a priority to give to those around him. Ellery was never one to be concerned with building wealth, rather, he was focused on living life to the fullest each day while holding his loved ones near. A devoted family man, he was filled with great joy to welcome four grandchildren into the family later in life. His memory will remain forever near and dear to all who were blessed to know and love him.

Although WWII had been gaining momentum overseas since the late thirties, America remained uninvolved until we had no choice but to respond to the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The following day troops were sent overseas while those who remained stateside were eagerly awaiting for the safe return of their loved ones. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1942 that was a year to remember in the lives of a young couple from Southwestern Michigan as they were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new baby as fall was giving way to winter. Their big day finally arrived on November 27th when the healthy baby boy they named Ellery made his arrival. He was one of three children welcomed into the arms of his parents, and he was raised in the family home alongside his sister, Nancy. He also had a brother, Larry that passed away at a very young. To support their family Ellery’s father worked at the local paper mill while his mother focused her time and attention on caring for her home and family. Ellery was a student at local schools and began playing the clarinet in school, which became a lifelong love of his.

In fact, it was his participation in band that provided the backdrop for exciting changes in Ellery’s life as it was a fellow band member who captured his attention like no other. Her name was Sandy Byington, and they met in band when she was in ninth grade while he was in tenth grade. They went steady during their high school years, and true love blossomed over time. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Ellery and Sandy became husband and wife on November 17, 1962, in Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo. Together they were blessed with the births of four children including triplets Darcy, Dawn, and David, and with the birth of Mindy their family of six was complete. Ellery was as active in the lives of his children as he could be as he worked hard at National Waterlift for 38 years until retiring. With a love for sports he enjoyed coaching Little League softball and rocket football while his children were growing up.

Throughout his life Ellery was one to keep busy. He didn’t really do much traveling as he preferred staying close to home. If there was anywhere Ellery would choose to be it would be out on the links golfing or playing his clarinet, although he was always up for going out to eat as well. For most of his life he played the clarinet as a member of the Otsego Community Band, Vicksburg Rotary Showboat in the pit band, Kalamazoo Concert Band, and the Kalamazoo Valley Community College campus band. Softball remained a lifelong love as he played on a softball league as an adult and also coached a women’s softball team for a time. Ellery also was part of a golf and bowling league through work for several years. He did have a more adventurous side, too, as he had a Harley-Davidson. Fishing was a favorite pastime - so much so that Ellery enjoyed watching it on television. As a true fishing enthusiast, he had all the fishing rod and reels as well as a boat. Although he was unable to fish more recently, he was always ready to head out if he ended up being able to make it work. More recently Ellery became interested in amateur radio and took on the call sign of KE8ED. He began studying code during the eighties and also became a member of RACES, an emergency system that is affiliated with homeland security. Ellery took a couple of his interests to the next level as he collected both fishing and amateur radio things.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Ellery Mann brought such happiness to others. He worked hard, but he played hard, too, and he was truly content in whatever life brought. Relaxed, self sufficient, and fun-loving, Ellery fully devoted himself to whatever task lay before him. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Ellery W. Mann, of Vicksburg, died on Thursday, July 17, 2014. Ellery’s family includes his wife, Sandy; four children: Darcy Mann, of Kalamazoo; Dawn (Chris) Garrett, of Vicksburg; David Mann, of Kalamazoo; Mindy (Wayne) Julien, of Schoolcraft; four grandchildren: Brandon Klein, Sean Garrett, Andrew and Kayla Julien; one sister: Nancy Keesee, of Kalamazoo. Ellery was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry. The family will receive friends on Monday from 11-1 p.m., Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). Ellery will be buried on Monday privately at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.