Joseph "Martin" Manship, Jr.

Joseph “Martin” Manship, Jr., age 89, a life-long resident of Milton, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

He was born at home in Lewes to J. Martin Manship, Sr. and Dorothy Bennett Thomas, on February 10, 1935. In his younger years, he attended White’s Chapel and Zion Church. He went to Milton High School, and worked for Clyde Betts & Son and Collins Men’s Store. After marrying the love of his life, Barbara Pettyjohn, he moved to Wilmington and worked in the men’s department at Wanamaker’s Department Store. After a year of living in Wilmington, the Sussex County farmers came back home to Milton. Martin delivered for Pepsi Company, then joined in the family business of Pettyjohn Farms. After retiring, he drove cars for Hertrich Fleet Division.

He was a member of Sussex County Beekeepers Association and served on the boards of Sussex County Farm Bureau and Bethesda United Methodist Church. He and his wife of 67 years loved spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren telling them stories of “back in the day”. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Martin is preceded in death by his four sisters, Helen Callahan, Meretta Truitt, Bertha Savage, and Louise Marshall.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Manship; children Randy Manship (Sharlene) and Rick Manship (Rhonda); two grandchildren, Mandie Manship and Ryan Conway; step-grandchild, Jonathan Boles; three great-grandchildren, Logan Motter, Cole Fletcher, and Everleigh Fletcher. He is further survived by one brother John Manship (Jo) and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 4, 2025 in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, DE, where a time of visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Harbeson Cemetery, 18647 Harbeson Rd, Harbeson, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Online condolences may be shared to the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com