Michael Emmett McManus, 71, passed away at his home in Hayden on April 22, 2011 (Good Friday). In his final hours, he was surrounded by his wife, 12 children, youngest brother and family members.

Michael was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Feb. 23, 1940, to Emmett and Nadine McManus. He married Sharon Yvonne Stephens of Kalamazoo on June 16, 1960. They relocated to Tucson, Ariz., in 1979, Santa Fe, N.M., in 1988, and the Inland Northwest in 1990.

Michael retired from Qwest in January 2003, after a 37-year career in the telecommunications industry. His hobbies were golf (two holes-in-one, same hole), singing, RV traveling, computers and teaching his children the Faith. As a handyman extraordinaire, there was nothing he didn’t know or couldn’t teach himself — a handyman never stepped foot in his home.

Michael is survived by his wife of 50-plus years, Sharon; 12 children, Lissa (Michael) McLain, Sean (Debra) McManus, Suzette (Michael) Lutes, Kathleen (Peter) Haynos, Stephen (Moira) McManus, Christopher (Lori) McManus, August McManus, Peter (Mary) McManus, Erin (Michael) Blackburn, Paul McManus, Ann (Michael) Kern and Mishon McManus; 52 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Nadine; seven siblings, Colleen Hopkins, Sharon (Robert) Siwik, Walter McManus, John (Colleen) McManus, Maureen Green, Rosemarie (Bill) Scamehorn, and Daniel (Susan) McManus; and countless nieces, nephews and godchildren. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Emmett.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. This will be followed by the Rosary, prayers and hymns at 7 p.m. The Requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2011, at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Chapel, 773 N. 11th St., Coeur d’Alene, followed by the burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, East 17825 Trent, Spokane.

Memorials may be either flowers or donations sent to and in c/o Sharon McManus, POB 1193, Hayden, ID 83835, to be distributed to various charities that assisted in Michael’s final weeks.

Please sign Michael’s guest registry and view the online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.