Obituary of Thai Manichanh

Thai Manichanh, 80, of Cassopolis, passed away, January 15, 2016 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. Thai was born on February 3, 1935 to the late Jontien and Kai (Uangamagh) Manichanh in Vientiane, Loas. He served in the army for over 20 years as a combatant and as a teacher. He brought his family to the United States in 1980 and lived in Merrillville, Indiana, for three years, then moved to Cassopolis, Michigan, in 1983 where he lived out the remainder of his years. Thai was an avid learner; he never stopped adding new words to his vocabulary. He spoke many different languages including Laotian, Thai, English, French, Vietnamese, and Japanese. He loved the outdoors and fishing. Thai was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jit. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lom; children, Oulay (Amy) Manichanh of Zeeland, Michigan, Somsamay (Vieng) Phetyaso of Leesburg, Indiana, Ketmany (Anthony) Reed of Battle Ground, Washington and Veomany (Eddie) Vann of Middletown, Ohio; eight grandchildren; one great granddaughter; sisters, Khammune and Lom; and brothers, Sounthavay and Lune. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Brown Funeral Home beginning at Noon with cremation to follow.