Montpelier Francis J. (Joe) Manning, of Mason, Arizona, died Thursday, December 24, 2015 at the Veterans Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in Barre on May 10, 1935 the son of Percy W. and Mildred (Devino) Manning. He attended Jones Brook School and Montpelier High School and later got his GED. On September 1st, 1956 Francis enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served until his honorable discharge on March 31, 1960. He married Hester Hale. They made their home in Southington, CT. They later divorced. He worked at the Waterbury Anker Fasteners and Mt. Southington Ski Area. He moved back to Vermont in 1991 and worked for Wheels for awhile and would go to Arizona for the winters. He always stopped in Bronson, Missouri. He was a close friend of Box Car Willie. He loved Karokee and singing. Francis belonged to the Moose Club and the American Legion. While in Arizona he helped with the Swing Kids run by Bill Clinton. He also belonged to the Appachee Junction Karokee. Survivors include his brothers, Arthur Manning of Montpelier; Raymond Manning and his wife, Tina of Northfield; sisters, Mary Kelley of Northfield; Anne Rogers and her husband, David of Marshfield; Elaine Isham and her husband, Ross of Moretown; Teresa Brooks of Meriden, CT; and a sister-in-law- Yvonne Manning of Montpelier and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother, William and Thomas Manning; sister-in-law, Arlene Manning; brothers-in-law, Raymond Kelley and Myron Brooks. Services and Military Honors will be held in the spring. The family would like to thank Charlie and Grace Hale, and Beverly Winchell for being there for Francis and helping him out. Memorial contributions may be made to Vermont Kidney Foundation, PO Box 244, Burlington, VT 05402-0244 On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com