SAMUEL G. MANN ’41
Samuel (Sam) Mann died at age 89 on Saturday, March 21, 2009 in East Greenville, Pa. Born in Philadelphia, he was a graduate of Central High School, Pierce Business School and Amherst College Class of 1941.
While at Amherst, Sam majored in political science, belonged to the Phi Gamma Phi fraternity, participated in cross-country and swimming, was on the business board of the Amherst Student and was a member of both the Christian Association and the Pre-Law Club.
During World War II, Sam was a master sergeant in the U.S. Army where he earned four bronze stars. After the war, he entered the Eckels School of Mortuary Science and followed in the family business, working with his father and brother at the Mann Funeral Home in Philadelphia. In 1960, he purchased the former Owen S. Hoffman Funeral Home and was the owner of the Mann Funeral Home, East Greenville, Pa., until 1986 when he retired and sold the business to his son-in-law, Carl F. Slonaker Jr.
Professionally, Sam was a 40-year member of the International Order of the Golden Rule. He also belonged to the National Funeral Directors Association, the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and the Montgomery County Funeral Directors Association.
He was a faithful member of New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, where he was a longtime teacher in the Fellowship Bible Class and a member of the consistory. He volunteered for many years with the Salvation Army and helped many families during their financial hardships.
Sam was also a member and past president of the Upper Perkiomen Rotary Club and the Upper Perkiomen Chamber of Commerce. His Masonic affiliations include a life membership in Joseph F. Brown Masonic Lodge 751. He was honored by the Upper Perkiomen Valley Midget Baseball League by naming the major league field “Mann Field” for his help in erecting lights at the ball field.
Sam is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mildred Mann, four children and seven grandchildren.
—Dave Johnson ’41