Michelle Marie Manista

September 19, 1955 - October 13, 2025

Beloved Michelle Marie Manista, age 70, of Westville, Indiana passed away Monday, October 13th, at 2:45am at Porter Northwest Hospital, due to cardio respiratory arrest caused by sepsis. Ironically, she worked there as a CNA at the end of her career. Earlier in life she was a hair stylist at JCPenney, and for the longest time, a correctional officer; at first Westville Correctional, and later Indiana State Prison. She was a proud breast cancer survivor, and one tough lady. The fact that she did seven consecutive months in five different icu’s before her 10 months in the nursing home is testament to her strength, among aforementioned things.

Michelle was the middle child to Frank and June Manista (nee Blecharczyk). She grew up in Gary, Indiana, next to her siblings: Dan, Judy, Mary Dawn, and Frank Jr. There she graduated from Lew Wallace in 1973 and was a cheerleader during her attendance.

She enjoyed Pepsi (no coke) in her younger days, but after her first round of chemo I can only ever remember her asking me for a Coca Cola. She loved the beach and laying out in the sun, convertibles, and interior decorating/painting. Coffee was a must, everyday, in her little brown mug. Grey’s Anatomy was one of her favorite tv shows, and she always liked doing DIY projects around the house such as flooring or tiling. Playing with her newest grandson Isaac was the biggest source of her smiles before she fell most recently.

She lived in NWI for most of her life except for a small stint in Chicago in the 90’s. She is survived by her siblings and their children, her ex-husbands, her three children: Justin (Laura) Taneff of Hebron, IN; and Michael Waters of Westville Indiana. Also surviving her are her three adorable grandchildren: Rachael Taneff, Anden Taneff, Isaac Waters, and also, her little yorkie Charlie.

Per her wishes she will be cremated and her ashes spread at Lake Tahoe. Her son Michael will be holding a small celebration of life for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, her kids ask that you give up smoking and go to the gym, learn an instrument, or rescue a dog.

See Condolences

What a great woman to be around growing up in Westville. Always welcoming and sweet. May the family find peace and it's truly unfortunate she is no longer with us. Love you Mikey

I am so sorry to hear about Michelle. She was such a sweet person graduated with her in 1973 had her one class or so I do remember her being a sweet person she will be missed. May God give the family strength at this time rest in peace, Michelle, your classmate, Linda Casko Korbar

Just remembering my middle sister, Mikki (as our dad spelled it). As a girl, she had an artistic bent and painted our basement with all sorts of odd colours. She had no filter, so what she was feeling was immediately there on the surface. If she had been encouraged more, she might have had a more fulfilling life, but (as they say) several bad choices happened and she fell under the influence of two abusive men. If they read this, you know who you are. Heavily flawed, self-destructive, and often very angry, but then aren't we all. Maybe not the very angry bit hopefully. I can't say we were close, but I have some fond memories: a time we were out in front of the house in Gary, Indiana and I was about 3 with a peace sign shirt on and she was holding my hand. Another time when she came to pick me up from my starting time doing my PhD at Michigan State University. As her daughter pointed out in the obit, she was the only one of us with blonde hair and blue eyes, but our mother always said as soon as those blue eyes locked onto something, trouble would start, e.g., "do you like your hat?" She leaves behind a mottled history, as all of us living will certainly do. I wish she could have done more in order to be happier, but I do hope there were times when she was happy.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.