Michael Manthey

The world lost a dear family member and friend when Michael Francis John Manthey was taken to Heaven on the morning of March 23, 2017. Mike passed away of natural causes at his beautiful home in Ninemile, MT with his beloved nurse, Sharon Talbot, by his side.

Mike (because only his grandma could call him Michael) was born on September 26, 1954, in Toledo, Ohio to Jeanette and Walter Manthey. He had three younger siblings and was an ideal big brother. Mike grew up in East Toledo, Ohio on Utah Street. He attended Good Shepherd grade school where he participated in basketball and baseball. As a young pitcher for Good Shepherd’s baseball team, he was known to be one of the best pitchers in the CYO league. His high school years were spent at Cardinal Stritch High School in Oregon, Ohio. While a good student, Mike’s new passion was football. He excelled as a tight end and defensive end earning All City and All District honors as a tight end.

Mike earned a full ride football scholarship to Toledo University in Ohio where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business. He was a pivotal player on the Toledo Rockets football team where his love for the game filled out his #72 blue and gold jersey. His performance on the field was so impressive that he even caught the eye of coach Bum Phillips of the Houston Oilers. His former teammates will forever remember their towering tight end as Tree and Boose.

Mike found his way 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 finding his dream home in the quiet woods of Ninemile, MT.
Mike was built of strength and determination and this was proven on January 20, 1991, when he was in a tragic diving accident that changed his life forever. In the years following his accident, Mike was a valuable mentor to other quadriplegics and he volunteered his time speaking at local schools. Although he was wheelchair bound, he never let it hinder his zest for life. He never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him and he always remained optimistic that one day he would be able to walk again.

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 started working as Mike’s nurse in November of 1994. She always thought it was fate that he moved to Ninemile shortly after she moved to Alberton. Sharon was not only Mike’s main nurse, but also his closest friend and number one supporter over the course of their twenty-three year friendship. She provided Mike with everlasting care and her family knew that it would take Mike passing away before she would ever leave his side. It is with pure joy in her heart that she is able to reminisce on the Elton John concert that they attended together shortly before his passing.

The quiet oasis up Ninemile was where Mike enjoyed spending his time. Retirement looked good on him and he was able to let loose and get a tattoo of his favorite butterflies and wolves, wear his long hair in a braid, and enjoy an ice cold Rolling Rock. He enjoyed watching the deer and hummingbirds out his bedroom window. Mike loved sitting on his porch soaking up the sun while listening to classic rock, cheering on his favorite Oakland Raiders, and decorating his house every Christmas like you would not believe. His Christmas tree was covered top to bottom with hundreds of Hallmark ornaments! 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 he was able to accomplish this with a specialized rifle that was made to fit him. He was a proud sharp shooter who dropped all six of his bucks with single shots on his spacious property. He spent many days dreaming about the prized bull elk that he was going to shoot one day and he was going to celebrate with a bottle of Jack Daniels that he bought last fall.

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 who was like a father to Mike; his siblings Carol (John) Campbell, Mark (Marisa) Manthey, and Matt (Karen) Manthey; nieces Katie, Alissa, and Alex; and nephews Nick and Michael; as well as his Montana family Sharon, Inga, Randy, Wyatt, Cleo, Bannack, and Kessler; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Buoniconti Fund through the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis in memory of Mike. This is one of the most comprehensive spinal cord injury research centers in the world.

To all of Mike’s beloved friends and family, please join us in a celebration of his life on April 8, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home with a reception to follow. In Mike’s honor, feel free to wear your favorite football attire because we all know he was a big Raiders and Montana Griz fan. Let’s raise up our glasses of Jack for one more toast! Walk on, Mike.

Donations can be made to The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.