On a beautiful fall day full of sunshine, Monday September 24, 2018, Manton Cletis Easterling age 80, was carried home to Heaven in the loving arms of Jesus.
Clete (as he was known to most) was born the 7th child to Manton and Lillie (Bowling) Easterling on June 21, 1938, in Lookout, KY. At age of 4, his Mother passed away and his sister Pauline helped their Dad raise Clete into the loving man we all knew him to be.
He met Phyllis Ratliff in the summer of 1962 and they married on October 22, 1962, sharing 56 years together. They made their home together in the suburbs of Chicago, IL and raised one daughter. Clete joined the Little Ellen Old Regular Baptist Church in Alsip, IL in 1970. He was devoted to his Lord and Savior for 48 years and truly enjoyed sharing his love for the Lord with everyone he knew.
During the summer of 1979 Clete, Phyllis, and Teresa moved to Neenah, WI where Clete resided until his death. He was employed by Leach Company in Oshkosh until his retirement. Clete truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. As an avid Walleye fisherman and deer hunter, he loved spending time outdoors enjoying "God's Country".
Clete is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Phyllis (Ratliff) Easterling; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Brian Van Cuick, New London, WI; his "pride and Joy" granddaughter, Kelsey Van Cuick, New London, WI; his sister, Pauline (Easterling) King, Princeton, WV; one special sister-in-law, Denise Easterling, Auburn Hills, MI; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kenneth, Emerson, Clayton, and Talmadge Easterling; one sister, Mary Bailey; one half brother, Jake Easterling; one half sister, Monnie Layne; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kermit and Vadney Ratliff; two special brothers-in-law, William C. King and Theodore Rowe; one special sister-in-law, DonReeda (Ratliff) Rowe; one special nephew (and his hunting and fishing buddy), Larry D. King; as well as other nieces, nephews, and special friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne, WI. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at the funeral home with Brother Lowell Mullins of the Little Ellen Church and Pastor Kermit Rowe officiating. Burial will be in the Clayton Cemetery, town of Clayton, WI.
Clete's family would like to thank the staff at Peabody Manor in Appleton, WI for their loving care and compassion.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.