Longtime Premier Of Alberta Dies

Ernest Manning, a premier of Alberta for 25 years and the father of right-wing opposition leader Preston Manning, died Monday at his home in Calgary after a long illness, his son said. He was 87.

Manning, who began his public career as a radio evangelist, served as premier from 1943 to 1968, representing the populist Social Credit Party. He was re-elected seven consecutive times before resigning.

He grew up on a Saskatchewan farm and later became a student of evangelist William Aberhart at a Bible college in Calgary. Manning occasionally filled in for Aberhart on a religious radio show, and joined the provincial Cabinet after Aberhart was elected premier in 1935.