GREENVILLE, Pa.—A funeral service for retired Air Force Colonel Charles H. “Bud” Manes ’58 will be held at David Johnson Memorial Chapel on campus at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 1.
He died April 22, 2025. He was 93 years old.
Manes lettered in football and basketball at Thiel College and earned a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University. He taught health and physical education at Thiel from 1959-1997, coached basketball, track & field, and cross country, and served as Director of Athletics. Manes was named Small College Basketball Coach of the Year for the 1967-68 season. He helped form the Thiel Athletic Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2008. Thiel named its track in his honor in 2019.
Manes served in the military from 1948-83, including active duty as a platoon leader with the 65th Regimental Tank Company during the Korean War. After his active service, he joined the Army Reserve in 1954 and later transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1963, stationed at Youngstown Air Force Base, where he rose to the rank of colonel before retiring in 1983. In retirement, he served as Department of Pennsylvania Chaplain and National Chaplain for the Italian American War Veterans (ITAM). In 2005, he participated in wreath-laying ceremonies at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
He is survived by his wife Ann Stanonis-Manes, of Greenville; his sister, Carol Excel of Wellsville, Ohio; sons Don ’78 (Lori) of New Port Richey, Fla.; David ’80 (Shelley (Palmer) ’80) St Petersburg, Fla.; Tim of Orlando Fla.; and daughters Pam (John) Darley ’85 of Orlando Fla.; and Megan (Andy) Manes of Delaware, Ohio; also survived by his former wives Myrtie Manes ’57, and by Marilyn Cotton, plus nieces and nephews, and one grandson.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.
