Michael Francis John Manthey

1954 - 2017

Michael Francis John Manthey

The world lost a dear family member and friend when Michael Francis John Manthey passed away of natural causes on March 23, 2017. Mike was born on September 26, 1954 in Toledo, Ohio to Jeanette and Walter Manthey.

Mike grew up in East Toledo on Utah Street where he attended Good Shepherd Grade School. His high school years were spent at Cardinal Stritch HS where he excelled in football as a tight end and defensive end, earning All City and All District honors.

Mike earned a full football scholarship to Toledo University where he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration. He was a pivotal player on the Toledo Rockets football team where his love for the game filled out his #72 jersey. His former teammates will forever remember their towering teammate as Tree or Boose.

Mike moved to Montana in 1989 when his position as Terminal Manager for Consolidated Freightways uprooted him from Minnesota. He spent four years enjoying the Bitterroot Valley before moving to the quiet woods of Ninemile, MT. Mike was built of strength and determination. This was proven on January 20, 1991 when he suffered a work related accident that changed his life forever. In the early years after his accident, Mike was a valuable mentor to other quadriplegics as he volunteered his time to speak at local schools. Although his accident left him wheelchair bound, he never let it hinder his zest for life. The devastating accident allowed Mike to cross paths with many wonderful home health nurses. Tessa Tatsey provided ten years of unconditional care and friendship to Mike while Sharon Talbot was a huge part of his life for twenty-three years. Sharon was not only Mike's main nurse who provided outstanding care for him, but she was also his closest friend, administrator and confidant over the course of all those years.We will be forever grateful to Sharon, her children, Inga and husband Randy, Wyatt and Cleo, for their unending love and support.

The quiet oasis up Ninemile was where Mike enjoyed spending his time. He was able to let loose and get tattoos of his favorite butterflies and wolves, wear his long hair in a braid, and enjoyed an ice cold Rolling Rock, now and then. He enjoyed watching the deer and hummingbirds from his bedroom window. Mike loved sitting on his porch soaking up the sun while listening to classic rock, cheered for his favorite Oakland Raiders, and decorated his house like a winter wonderland every Christmas, with the help of his Montana friends. He was also a season ticket holder to the Montana Grizzly Football games, where he fit right in with the North end-zone crazies!

Mike's heart was as big as the Montana sky and he was one of the most generous people you would ever meet. He loved to hunt and with the help of his friends, was able to accomplish this with a customized rifle designed for quadriplegics. He was an excellent marksman who dropped all six of his bucks with a single shot on his ten acre spread.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jeanette and Walter Manthey. He left behind numerous friends and family members who will miss him dearly. These include his Uncle Jack (John Fournier), who was like a father to Mike; his siblings Mark (Marisa) Manthey, Carol (John) Campbell, and Matthew (Karen) Manthey; nieces Catherine, Alissa, and Alexandria; nephews, Nicholas and Michael, as well as his Aunt Connie Fournier, Uncle Joe Romano, and numerous cousins.

There will be a funeral Mass and burial on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 212 N. Stadium Rd. Oregon, Ohio 43616. Reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a dona¬tion to the Buoniconti Fund through the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis in Mike's memory.