Emmanuel "Manny" Joel Fountain, aged 39, passed away with family and friends at his side on July 9, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, to Nelson "Ivy" Fountain and Pauline Laura (Morgan) Fountain on October 14, 1985.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025, with Visitation from Noon to 1 p.m., and Memorial Service beginning at 1 p.m. to be followed by a Repast meal, at Apostolic Truth Church, 2720 North Keating Court, Appleton, Wisconsin.

E.J. was a welder by trade, certified by Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Peosta, Iowa. He also worked his way up from the burger grill to sous chef in various restaurants in Iowa, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching movies with his mom. He loved to cook. He and Michelle often danced together in their kitchen, listening to music from Bob Marley to Mozart. He took Game Night very seriously, playing all kinds of board games and cards. Once (maybe twice), he even outmanoeuvred Uncle Alvin at chess. He played pool and pulled pranks. He loved to make people laugh. He gave warm, loving hugs.

As a boy, he spent countless summers at his Aunts' farm with his siblings. His love of the outdoors--hiking in the woods, catching fish, and caring for animals--began there. He was a great protector of his sisters when they were young.

As a father and uncle, he was a good listener and patient teacher of "anything and everything." He shared his love of nature, swimming along the Mississippi with the kids, teaching his nephews to fish in Lake Winnebago. He loved being by the water.

E.J. is survived by his parents, Pauline Morgan and Nelson "Ivy" Fountain; his partner, Michelle Williams; his children and their mothers, Jamar, Emmanuel "E.J." Jr., De'Ontae, and Tajanay with Sheonta Fountain; Kiana with Jessica Lenz, Alexa "Lexi" with Laina Scheffert, Carmelo, and Maggino "Gino" with Vita Thompson, and Kaiden with Kaitlin "Kait" Hanson; grandchildren Da'Montae, Sa'Kari, KaiManana Mae and Amari, and his partner's son, Jerel, his sisters Jennifer Morgan, Andrea Shafer, Gwyndolin "Gwyn" (Cora) Fountain, Kaleigh Brooks, Natasha Neeley, and brothers, Ivy Fountain, Jr., and Ivy "Stubbe" Fountain, III; his aunts Cynthia Morgan, and Rebecca (Deb) Morgan-Meckelberg, and uncle Alvin Fountain; nieces and nephews, Olivia, Julian, and Johnny, Gary, Nevaeh, Gaige, Jayda, and Ivy Rebecca, and many beloved cousins.

He is preceded in death by his biological father, Ray Dean, sister Angelina "Lena" Fountain, son Donavagn (Vita Thompson), aunt Eula Fountain, uncle James Fountain, cousin Caleb Morgan-Meckelberg, grandparents, Harold and Julia Morgan, Eugene and Helen Fountain, and his dear friend, Marquel.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Manny's name.

A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated Ascension ICU nurses, doctors, and chaplain at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and for all the prayers from family and friends. Special thanks to Keisha Fountain and Rebecca Morgan-Meckelberg for 'being there' for the family, now as always. Thank you to Michelle's sisters, Jennifer Wilson and Kristine Ruehl, and Jim Kinnard.