Obituary of Doris L. Manning

Doris Laverne Manning, 92, a life-long resident of Waukegan, IL,  passed away unexpectedly on April 19, 2024.

Doris was born on June 28, 1931, in Waukegan, Illinois, to the late Stanley Dupin and Virginia Midkiff Dupin.  Doris was married to William (Bill) Manning and they built a long, happy life together, enjoying family life, dancing, boating, and gardening. 

She was a skilled medical receptionist and worked for many doctors in the area.  Doris co-owned Northshore Landscaping with her husband, William.  She was a member of the Waukegan First United Methodist Church, a daughter of the Nile and a member of the Waukegan Women’s Club.  She was a talented sketch artist and landscape designer.  Doris designed the "adopted fire hydrant" signs seen around Waukegan. 

Doris and William were proud supporters of the Shriners Children's Hospital. Doris served with the Tebala Shriners Motor Patrol as Pinky the Clown and raised funds and awareness for Shriners' work with pediatric burn victims.

The memory of Doris Laverne Manning will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her loving children, Linda (Manning) Sparks, Chuck Manning, and daughter-in-law Carol (Swift) Manning. She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Tricia (Sparks) Groe and husband Frank, Stacy (Sparks) Stavlund and husband Michael, Billy Sparks, Jr., and wife Rebekah (Paulsen), Timothy Sparks and wife Margaret (Deaver). Doris also leaves behind 9 cherished great-grandchildren as well as beloved nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, William Addison Manning; her parents; sister, Donna (Dupin) Gjelsten; brother, Robert Dupin; treasured son-in-law, Billy Wayne Sparks, Sr.; and her sweet great-grandson, William Addison Stavlund.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL.  The memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  A procession will follow to Highland Memorial Park, Libertyville, IL.