"The first time I met Manny, it was my first year playing softball at Holiday Park. This man ( at the time I thought he was huge) came up to me,, he asked if my Mom's name used to be Rachell Tonelli. I very defiantly told him my mom's was Rachell, but her last name was VanderSluis. Little did I know at the time she had been married to Angelo. He just got this mischievous grin on his face and told me to tell her he said hi. Here I am, very confused about who was this person and gave her the message. I was much later enlightened the relationship. I had many good times with Manny, too many to mention really. Later came to know the rest of the clan, I loved him as my mentor, family and coach. Rest in peace Manny, I hope you and Mom and my brother Mike can catch up."
In loving memory of
George Milo Tonelli
April 14, 1929 - July 18, 2015
George Manny Tonelli, 86 of Corydon passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Corydon Nursing and Rehab Center. A celebration of life service will be held at the Polk County Westside Senior Center, 134 6th Street, West Des Moines on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. A time for fellowship and refreshments will follow the service at the Westside Senior Center from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in the Jordan Cemetery in West Des Moines.
George was born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 14, 1929 to Charlie and Gladys (Holmes) Tonelli. He married Evelyn Kopaska on June 5, 1954; they were blessed with four daughters. George worked in the Auto Body Repair business for 30 + years. He went to work for the West Des Moines Park Dept. in 1972 and retired from there in 1985. George had many hobbies and interest but his most important activity was spending time with his family and friends. He also was active in West Des Moines Girl Softball and was a founding member, he was a Coach and Umpire, enjoyed league bowling, camping and fishing, and tinkering in his workshop making things for Evelyn to paint. George will be remembered by his grandchildren for his sense of humor, his wall lammies stories, and the time he took the 10 oldest grandchildren to McDonalds for Happy Meals.
Those left to cherish his loving memories are his wife of 60 years Evelyn, daughters; Valerie (Steve) Foster, Vicki (Mike) Wright, Vaneise (Fred) McWherter and Vondale (Dave) Dodds, grandchildren; Scott Foster, Sean Foster, Shane Foster, Sloan Foster, John Wright, Joe Wright, Jessica Wright, Abe Smith, Ben Smith, David Smith, Caleb Dodds, Caitlin Dodds, and step grandson Curt McWherter, great-grandchildren; Walter Foster, Morgan Foster, Charlotte Foster, Tristan Thomas, Nate Wright, Kloe Wright, Roman Wright, Dominic Wright, Vincent Wright, Octavia Wright, Juliana Wright, and Penelope Smith, siblings; Colleen Williams, Claudette Broger, Jenny Clay, Annie Webber, Susie Eggert, Carmella Roakes, Cheryl Tonelli, Angelo Tonelli, Ronnie Tonelli, Frankie Tonelli, Joe Tonelli, and Bobby Tonelli, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
George was preceded in death by his parents Charlie & Gladys Tonelli, Brother Eldee (Tuner) Tonelli and Donald (T) Tonelli.
Memorial contributions in Georges name may be directed to Alzheimers Association Greater Iowa Chapter, 1730 28th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266
Celebrate Life Iowa has been entrusted with the care of George and his family.
Tributes
"Uncle Manny was always a pillar of strength and a source of comfort to his family and to all of his many nieces and nephews. My memories of Uncle Manny are too numerous to name but they will always be remembered as loving and fun. Rest In Peace Uncle Manny, you will be missed. Terri Ontiveroz-Tonelli"
"Jessica Wright sent a virtual gift in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Jessica Wright lit a candle in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Vaneise lit a candle in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Valerie Foster lit a candle in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Cheryl Tonelli lit a candle in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Von Dodds lit a candle in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Van (Tonelli) McWherter lit a candle in memory of George Milo Tonelli"
"Can remember all of you all of my life! We made West Des Moines Softball What is is today! Your Dad was so great with all of us, his team or not! Nurtured the young ladies into great teams, not just ball players! There is a difference! I will remember him in my heart, and will pray for your time of healing. Love you! Juile Gaston Dubansky"
"Manny you and Don (T) were the pillar of our family. How I loved you and will miss you. Evelyn and girls, May the God of Joy, Peace and Love circle your lifes right know along with the in-laws,many grandchildren and greats. We love you all, may the Holy spirit bring comfort to your hearts today.. Fred and Claudette"
"Manny was my coach on the Emeralds. He was the kind of coach that inspired and motivated his players. I feel fortunate to have known him and send my condolences to your family. Becky Cervetti"
"Manny, you shall be remembered by me with your witt, your 'words' of wisdom and your love most of all for your Mother. I can remember when me and my sister Annie went to the movies in West Des Moines and I really don't think we told Manny we were going. He had his many friends combing the area and when we finally left the movie (after watching it twice) his friends spotted us and was hurried home to the arms of a brother who was truly concerned not only for us but what his Mother would do. We loved you then and we love you now. Praying that you are in the arms of our heavenly Father and seeing your Mom and T once again. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS 'CLUTCH' WHEN GOING DOWN HILL'. So many memories, so many stories, so much love... LOVE YOU TO HEAVEN SUSIE ."
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
"So many memories of Grandpa Manny. To me he is the greatest man to ever walk this earth and the world will never be the same. RIP grandpa Manny I love you."
"Dad as I think back on being your daughter, there are so many memories. One thing they all have in common is time spent with you. I am convinced that giving your time is so much more important then the things money can buy. You also accepted my husband and then my children just like they were your own. You will always be with me. Vicki"
"So your light will always shine. You are a star in our sky."
"Watching mom and dad dance in the living room. Taking us fishing only to spend all his time baiting our hooks because all we wanted to do was cast out and reel in. Paying the rest of some little kids purchase because he didn't have enough. Never being able to go anywhere without at least one of us tagging along. That wasy dad. :joy::innocent::heart_eyes:"
"Where do you start? My dad was a great dad and a wonderful man. He may not been perfect but to his girls he was. He taught us how to love and care for others. He was always there if you needed help. He so would to us we weren't to big to turn over his knee. LOL. Love you Dad. RIP"
"All the camping, playing softball and Dad umpiring and me getting to hang out at the ballpark. Masking off cars at his body shop & getting to sit and play in the cabs he was working on. He taught me to cast out my brand new Zebco 202, so we could go fishing. And then I caught a state record Bluegill on one of our many camping trips. On and on and on. OMG way too much to think about rite now. But I will say I couldn't be more proud of my Dad. It makes me smile."
"The young girl on the bottom looks like it could be Darla (Harker) Borger who played baseball with her uncle Manny."
"To the best dad anyone could ever ask for. Love you."
"I used to love hearing his stories bout grandpa and forman in the ring 'pop! Just like that!' Forman never stood a chance! :-)"
"I used to love hearing his stories bout grandpa and forman in the ring 'pop! Just like that!' Forman never stood a chance! :-)"
"RIP DADDY . I LOVE YOU"