Paul T. Manion 1940-2020
Paul T. Manion of St. Louis, Mo., passed from this life on April 2, 2020. He was born in Decatur on April 7, 1940, the son of Charles and Jeannette Manion. He and his beloved wife Bonnie, who survives him, lived almost all of their 59 years of marriage in Hoopeston, moving to St. Louis in 2018 to seek medical treatment for Paul's leukemia.
Paul worked full-time as an insurance investigator during both college and law school. While living at the home of his parents in South Bend, Indiana, he earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Notre Dame in 1961. 1961 was also the year he married Bonnie Rivard, when they were 21 and 19 years of age, which Paul always insisted was the wisest decision he had ever made. In 1964, Paul received his law degree, with honors, and Bonnie received her undergraduate degree cum laude from DePaul University of Chicago. After brief stints with a major Chicago law firm, and as an Assistant State's Attorney in Iroquois County, Paul opened his solo practice office in Hoopeston at age 27. The firm ultimately grew to an eight-attorney litigation firm, achieving a number of million-dollar awards and several not-guilty verdicts in murder prosecutions.
Paul gave generously of his time to volunteer projects. He served as President of Hoopeston Little League, on many charitable boards, and was recognized for his contributions to the community. For several years, Paul was a volunteer Chair of AA meetings at the Danville Correctional Center. Paul and Bonnie were active presiders for Marriage and Engaged Encounter Weekends through the Diocese of Peoria for more than 25 years. He served as a member of the Board of Managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association for more than 10 years, frequently lecturing and organizing training seminars for trial lawyers. Paul also served 22 years on the Board of Directors of Citizen's State Bank in Milford.
He was very proud of their six successful children, Chrissie (Koorosh) Zaerpoor - Physicist/Engineer and organic farmer and author in Yamhill, Ore., Sheila (Joe) Kimlinger - Civil/Structural Engineer at TWM Engineering in Swansea, Ill., Tess (Tom) Bailey - Medical Doctor and Associate Medical Director for Community Health Initiatives at Carle in Urbana, Michael (Janice) - Factory Distribution Supervisor at Teasdale in Hoopeston, Dan - Mechanical Engineer and Hampton, Ill., fire captain; and Brian (Gaylin) - Attorney and Chief of the Scott Air Force Base Labor Law Field Support Center Regional Office (who was blessed to be able to practice alongside Paul for a few years in Hoopeston). Paul was a devoted father and was adored by his 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four siblings, Marinelle, James, Marthanne and Jeanmarie.
Paul and Bonnie enjoyed 59 wonderful years of marriage and traveled extensively by themselves and with their children, visiting all 50 states and at least 40 countries. Paul wanted it duly noted that he had a full and fortunate life. He extends his thanks to friends and especially family for the good life he had received.
Due to COVID-19, private family services have already been held. The family looks forward to planning a Mass and larger memorial service at a later date, to be held at their parish of more than 50 years, St. Anthony's, in Hoopeston. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that any donations be made to the Multi-Agency of Hoopeston, Illinois, or to Catholic Relief Services.