Eloise "Jean" (Ackelbein) Mangan

Eloise “Jean” Mangan, 97, of Battle Creek MI, died peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI on April 11, 2025.

Jean was born May 24,1927 in Loveland, Colorado, the daughter of Henry A. Ackelbein and Helen L. (Dallemand) Ackelbein. The family would later move to Heath MT and then to Lewistown, MT , where Jean graduated from Fergus County High School in 1945. Following her H.S. graduation she went on to the University of Colorado and was in the pharmacy school. There she met a naval ROTC student named William Fredrick (Fred) Mangan. After his college graduation in 1947, they were married on Oct. 4th of the same year at St. Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek, MI. Following Fred's discharge from the Navy in 1951, they eventually moved permanently back to Battle Creek with one son and another baby on the way. Together they would raise and educate eight children. Fred had graduated from St. Philip High School, class of 1944. Many of his classmates and their spouses provided a wonderful network of friends for both Jean and Fred throughout their 48 years of marriage together. In her later years, Jean leaned on her faith and family for care and support, as those were what she said she treasured most.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, on Nov.26, 1995. Surviving are their children: James Fredrick (Rick) and Sue Mangan of Ann Arbor MI; Christine (Chris) and Tom Tenney of Colon MI; Janet and Sam Lanzafame of Chittenango, NY; Marjorie ( Margie) Mangan of Battle Creek MI; Karen Zangaro of Caledonia, MI; Martha and Larry Boyer of Battle Creek, MI; David and Laura Mangan of Grand Rapids, MI; Elizabeth ( Beth) and Scott Seppala of Battle Creek, MI; 23 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, and a sister Pauline and Rich Taylor of Hobart, Washington.

Preceding her in death were her parents; an infant brother, John Ackelbein; a sister Dorris and Frank Clune of Rochester, New York; sons-in-law, Frank Ruff and Joseph Zangaro and an infant grandson Roman Ramos.

Family and friends are invited to join for a visitation from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 25th, followed by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funereal Cremation Preneed Care, 105 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2025, at St. Philip Catholic Church, 92 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation, please consider the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.