Mansor Kia, 88

Mansor Kia, 88, Atlantic, formerly of Stanton, passed away Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.
Mansor Kia, the son of Ebrahim and Fatemeh (Jahandar) Kia was born on March 24, 1935, in Kermanshah, Iran. Mansor came to this country in 1956 and became a proud American citizen in l971. He first attended the University of Illinois at Urbana, but upon learning of the death of his father, he moved to Chicago where he worked and completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Mansor married Diana Johnson in l962, and to this union three children were born, John (l964), Rebecca (l966) and David (l979).
Mansor’s first job was at Spar-Con Co., then R & D Consultants, both in Chicago. He then worked for Motorola Inc. for 32 years in Franklin Park, (where he acquired the nickname of “Mike”). First as an engineer and later as an account manager, his primary account was with John Deere. In l982, Mansor was awarded a patent for his design of a compact C.B. As part of his work with Motorola, he traveled to Germany, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and widely throughout the U.S. In l972, Mansor was selected by the General Manager of his division to attend Motorola Executive School in Tucson, Ariz. He was elected to the Profit-Sharing Council, where he served for several years. Mansor also served as program chairman, and later president, of the Chicago Chapter of Motorola Engineering Club.
Family was always his primary focus. Over the years, Mansor enjoyed family outings and vacations, and coaching baseball and softball for all three children. He also enjoyed bowling and made many friends through that activity. Mansor and Diana lived in Chicago and its suburbs from l962 until l993. In l993, they moved to Stanton, where Mansor continued to work for Motorola until his retirement in l999. In Stanton, he served on the city council for several years and as mayor for two years. Mansor and Diana visited Sweden twice, in l991 and 1999, went on a cruise to Alaska in 2007, and to Hawaii several times, including on their 50th and 55th anniversaries.
Mansor was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and three brothers.
Mansor is survived by his wife, Diana Kia of Atlantic; son, John (Carla) Kia of Berthoud, Colo.; daughter, Becky (Matt) Mills of Atlantic; and son, David (Michelle) Kia of Council Bluffs; eight grandchildren, Rachel Kia McGee, Katharine Kia Mayberry, Lauren Kia, Heidi Vanderholm, Jody Vanderholm, April Vanderholm, Dominic Kia, and Alexander Kia. He is also survived by one brother, two sisters, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak.
Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home starting at 10 a.m. until service time of 11 a.m.
Inurnment will take place on Saturday, Oc. 28, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Mamre Cemetery, Stanton.
The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to the National Audubon Society.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at sldfuneralhome.com.
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Mansor’s arrangements and serving his family.