He was born on Aug. 12, 1951, in Alton, the son of Edwin and Helen (Davis) Manns.
Dennis married Janis M. Bierbaum on Oct. 12, 1974 at St. Mathew's Catholic Church in Alton. She survives.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton and retired from IBEW Local 649 where he worked as an electrician. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan, an avid St. Louis Blues fan and a Notre Dame fan. He enjoyed golfing, trout fishing, camping, playing cards and volunteering at the Alton Expo with his electrical knowledge. He also loved attending the Harman Auctions in Shipman and spending time with his grandchildren and family, especially helping family and friends.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Janis Manns of Alton; his mother, Helen (Davis) Manns Rodden of Alton; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Douglas Manns of Alton, Scott and Laura Manns of Bethalto, and Chrisi McNamee of Alton; seven grandchildren, Cayla, Emma, Joslyn, Colette, Alena Jonathan and Luke Manns; one sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Scotty (Robert) Scott of Alton; and a nephew and niece, Jeff and Teresa Griffin of Godfrey.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Manns; his step-father, Jim Rodden; a sister, Sandra Reese; and a niece, Barbara Griffin.
Visitation will be from 9 until time of a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton with Fr. John Luong OMV celebrant.
Inurnment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Godfrey.
Memorials may be made to Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home for funeral expenses or to Madison County Catholic Charities Food Pantry.
Al Schoene
I'm truly saddened to hear of my old friend Dennis Manns' death. The news brings back so many fond memories of growing up in Alton. I got to know him at least by 3rd grade at Horace Mann because he lived just down Edwards Street from Scott Davidson. Over the years we've played countless games of sandlot football at the SIU field or Scott's front yard, We watched the first Super Bowl game on the Davidson's little console TV. A bit later there were many "all-nighter" poker games in Dennis' screened-in porch in the back yard. He christened me with the nickname "Chuck". We played so many, many rounds of golf together - he made the golf team; I didn't. And I had to air brush out his obscene gesture from the team's Tatler picture. He had a perpetual grin on his face.
Like so many of us we went different ways in different places after high school. But a friendship like many of us had with Dennis stayed a part of us. Best wishes to his family and let them preserve great memories of Dennis as well.
Al Schoene