SALISBURY – Benton Thomas Maner, 85, of Vance Avenue, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at W.G. “Bill” Hefner VA Medical Center, Hospice Facility in Salisbury.

Born in Anson County on Dec. 8, 1921, Mr. Maner was the son of the late George Wesley Maner and Amanda Caroline Poplin Maner. Educated in Stanly County, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church and the Homemakers Sunday School Class.

Mr. Maner was the Meat Dept manager with the A&P in Spencer until his retirement in 1975. A long-time member of the Spencer Moose Lodge, he served on various committees. He was also a member of the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion.

Mr. Maner was an avid fisherman and hunter.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Woodrow Maner, Fisher Maner and Bill Maner.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Louise Almond Maner, whom he married Aug. 16, 1944; sons Tony E. Maner and wife Maria of Salisbury, Randy W. Maner Sr. of Salisbury and Thomas R. Maner of Charlotte; daughter Emily Turner and husband Richard of Albemarle; grandchildren Heather Maner Taylor and husband Scott of Horse Shoe, Randy W. Maner Jr. of Nashville, Tenn., Derrick Maner of Salisbury, Jo Honeycutt and husband Scottie of Albemarle and Kendra Todd of Albemarle. Mr. Maner is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. His extended family included Ken Howey of Charlotte and Wanda Cuthbertson and family of Cleveland.

Visitation: The family will see friends tonight from 7-8:30 at Summersett Funeral Home.

Service: Funeral Services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday at the Summersett Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Hand and the Rev. Cynthia Mackey officiating. Burial will follow in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Rowan County Military Honor Guard.

Mr. Maner was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather with a loving and gentle heart and spirit who was loved by all. He will be sorely missed.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Rowan Regional Home Health & Hospice, 825-A W. Henderson St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Maner family.