Joseph Manship Jr., longtime farmer
Joseph “Martin” Manship Jr., 89, a lifelong resident of Milton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.
He was born Feb. 10, 1935, at home in Lewes, to J. Martin Manship Sr. and Dorothy Bennett Thomas. In his younger years, he attended White’s Chapel and Zion Church. He attended 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 returned to Milton. Martin delivered for the Pepsi Company before joining the family business, Pettyjohn Farms. After retiring, he drove cars for Hertrich Fleet Division.
He was a member of the 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 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4, at Short Funeral Services chapel, 416 Federal St., Milton, where a time of visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Harbeson Cemetery, 18647 Harbeson Road, Harbeson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
