ELKHART -- Arthur Wayne Maness, 43, of Elkhart, died at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday (May 6, 2009) in Elkhart General Hospital of complications from emphysema.

He was born Feb. 23, 1966, in Columbus, Ohio, to Joseph and Virginia (Garland) Maness.

His wife, Cheryl Head, survives along with two daughters, Veronica M. Maness at home and Michelle Maness of Tulsa, Okla.; one granddaughter; two brothers, Joe Maness and Eric Watson, both of Columbus; and three sisters, Mary Sue (Floyd Thompson) Reasoner and Betty Jean Maness, both of Columbus, and Donna Pagnard of Carroll, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Ray Watson; one son, Jesse Maness; and one sister, Connie Harjo.

Mr. Maness worked at Meijer, Goshen, more than 10 years before he began working at Venture Technologies LLC, Elkhart. He stayed there five years until retiring in the mid-2000s because of his health. He loved to fix things and spent hours working on cars and repairing things around the house. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and loved to spend time with his family.

Friends may call one hour prior to Tuesday's 1 p.m. funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Chris Hinshaw of Grace Brethren Church of Elkhart will officiate. Cremation will follow.

Memorials may be given to the Veronica M. Maness Educational Fund, care of Billings Funeral Home. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.