Manuel John McElroy of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Monday morning, September 3, 2012, at his home in Blackwell at the age of 58 years.

Manuel John McElroy was born on April 27, 1954, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Vernice M. and Mary Ann (Mundy) McElroy. As an infant he moved with his family to Ponca City where he grew up and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1972. Following his education he married Terri Dingus at Lake Ponca and they settled in Stillwater where he began working in the maintenance department at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for five years. He later married Jackie Jones and they moved to Oklahoma City before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked in maintenance for a housing development. They later returned to Ponca City before moving to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked in construction and attended heat and air training. They then returned to Ponca City and he later married Rose at his mother's home in Arkansas and they settled in Blackwell where he worked in maintenance for Blackwell Public Schools until the time of his death. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ponca City and enjoyed fishing and outdoor activities. He loved making various home creations and giving them to family and friends.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Rogers of Bee Branch, Arkansas; his father, Vernice McElroy of Ponca City; and a brother, Charles R. McElroy of Wichita, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Ellen.

No services are planned and burial will take place in Arkansas.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the American Diabetes Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.