John Willard Kinnikin - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

John Willard Kinnikin

Born August 22, 1930

John Willard Kinnikin, age 86, of York, PA and formerly of Delaware, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2017.

Mr. Kinnikin was born in Laurel, DE on August 22, 1930, and was the son of the late Oscar E. Kinnikin and Elsie (White) Kinnikin Collins. After graduating from Laurel High School, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware where he was a member of the lacrosse team and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He earned his graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and also worked on his doctoral degree there. A proud veteran, Mr. Kinnikin served his country as a member of the Army in Germany during the Korean War.

He made his career as an educator serving first as a teacher and then as an Assistant Principal of Milford High School. He was also the last Principal of Rehoboth High School. He later accepted a position as an Administrative Assistant at York High School in York, PA, where he worked until his retirement. He was also a proud member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.

Active in his community, Mr. Kinnikin was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of York, the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, served on the board of the Bell Socialization Services, and was a long time member of the White Rose Bridge Club. In his leisure time, Mr. Kinnikin enjoyed bridge, reading, genealogy research, and traveling. He was an exceptional handyman and loved the challenge of home improvement projects. Above all else, Mr. Kinnikin was an adoring husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Margery M. (Murray) Kinnikin; daughter, Ann Kinnikin Parsons (HD) of Lewes, DE; sisters, Thelma Kinnikin Boston of Pocomoke City, MD and Ruth Kinnikin Moore of Laurel, DE; many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren; and his own grandchildren, Brinleigh, Mackie, Parron and Keara Parsons.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm on Wednesday afternoon, April 12, 2017 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 1:30 pm. Interment will follow in Head of Christiana Cemetery, Nottingham Road, Newark, DE.

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9 Condolences for John Willard Kinnikin

  • We have so many memories of good times with John. His laugh, his humor, and most of all his generous nature. He will be missed. Carl and Trina Williams

  • John was the best bridge partner I ever had,we shared many laughs together.

  • Learned so much from while helping him projects as kid. He was the best Uncle in the world. I will miss him very much.

  • A great soul lost, but he will have a great bridge partner in heaven with Oppop (Buzz Adams). Prayers for Marge and her family.

  • The Board and staff of the DCF send their sincere condolences on the death of John Kinnikin. He did so much to make Delaware a better place to live.

  • Uncle Willard, we will miss you! We know you are in a better place now.

  • Thank you Trina. Mom just told me about Carl. Sending prayers.

  • Sincerest condolences to his family on the passing of John Willard Kinnikin. I enjoyed talking with him about the Kinnikin Family Tree he and one of his daughters had created. He was a very kind man.

  • I’m sorry to hear that Mr Kinniken passed away. He was my chemistry teacher at Milford High School. (Class of 1965). Being in his class/lab was amazing… we learned so much. Please accept my condolences.