John E. Macklin, Sr.,
"Lincoln, Delaware Loses Expert Demolition Contractor"
John E. Macklin, Sr. entered through the gates of Heaven and went home to our Lord and Savior on December 15, 2021. His departure from this world at his home in Lincoln, Delaware was one of shock and immeasurable loss to his family.
John owned, and successfully operated with his wife, Janet, Macklin and Son Demolition, which John started in the year 1976. As owner he experienced over forty-five wonderful years of customer satisfaction and superior workmanship in the demolition business. This vision grew from the mind of a loving family and businessman many years ago. With only one dump truck and a single backhoe, thus the beginning of John Macklin and Son Demolition, as many of us know, that vision grew into a fleet of commercial vehicles and heavy demolition equipment. Specializing in large commercial buildings and residences located throughout all Delaware counties, the end results of each job gave him a sense of accomplishment that few of us will ever experience. As the side of each of his commercial dumpsters read, there was "No Job Too Big or Small."
John will also be remembered for his part in stock car racing. As with the way he lived his life to the fullest was a shelf of trophies on display for his excellence from all he chose to do. A few years after John's son Johnny was born, he decided to retire the stock car, and focused on managing his son's love for go kart racing. And as it has been written, "like father like son," John Jr. added to the shelves of winning trophies.
John Macklin Tire, established in 1975, was also a landmark and household name known by many. It was managed by his son John after graduating business college.
As John became closer to retirement age, it seemed to be the right time for John Jr. to become part of the demolition business his father had built with his son's future in mind. After all, he had been riding in the backhoe on his Dad's lap since he was a small boy, and John would continue for the next ten years to teach Johnny every trick of the trade he knew, including good relationships with customers, and honesty with a smile. Father and son, working side by side.
On October 26, 1985, after eight years of being together, John married his high school sweetheart, Janet. They shared many happy years together, whether it was an evening at home watching his favorite westerns with their rescue dogs Bailey, Case, and Charlie lying at his feet, stock car racing, go kart races, beach vacations, camping trips, an ocean cruise, date nights, hot tub dates, and spending time with family in the backyard around the barbeque and pool. He frequently would say to his wife that each day should begin and end with laughter. That is how he lived his life, a constant joy to be with; a laugh that was infectious and a smile that could warm the coldest of any wintry day. Full of honesty and integrity, you as an individual became richer just to have known him.
John was adamant in telling people that without his wife, he would be lost. His love for her was immeasurable; their love was one that many could only hope for. His love for his son was embedded in his heart from the day he was born.
He was listed as a Gold Member in WHO's WHO in Small Businesses. He maintained a Better Business Bureau 5-Star Rating for over thirty years. He began his first paying job at age seven for Donovan's Market where he stocked shelves. By the age of nine he was working for May-Pop Tires.
John was preceded in death by his father, Hall A. Macklin, Jr. and mother, Elsie Macklin; his grandparents who raised John, grandmother, Letha Macklin, and grandfather, Hall A. Macklin, Sr.
He is survived by his wife, Janet E. Macklin; their son, John E. Macklin, Jr. and his girlfriend, Amber Palo of Lincoln; and brother, Hall "Andy" A. Macklin, III of Milford; godsons, Brandon Watson and Tony Favata; sisters-in-law, Patricia Groff of Greenwood, Sharon Groff of Harrington, Connie Yencer of Harrington, Katie Marie and husband, Rony DeLeon of Lincoln; brothers-in-law, Jason Fuhr and wife, Charlotte, and Curtis Fuhr, Sr.; nieces, Stacey Callahan of Milford, Caitlyn, Mariah, Lilyana, Jaylynn, Jasmine and Jaimie Fuhr, and Emily; nephews, Curtis Jr., Christian, William, Aiden, Logan, Brandon Jones, Daniel Burgos, Julio Burgos and family; and all those he employed, for to John, they were family first; all of whom will miss him dearly.
Friends and family may come together, to both celebrate the life and grieve the loss of John E. Macklin, Sr., on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 12 p.m. in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St. Milford, Del., with a time of visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Lincoln Cemetery, Clendaniel Pond Rd., Lincoln, Del.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortfuneral- servicesandcremation.com