Edwin John “Bud” Pickhaver, Sr. - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Edwin John “Bud” Pickhaver, Sr.

April 7, 1936 - December 4, 2015

Edwin John Bud Pickhaver, Sr., age 79, of New Castle, DE, passed away on December 4, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.

A native Delawarean, Bud was born in Newport on April 7, 1936, the son of the late Edwin H. Pickhaver and Madeline Keene Pickhaver. He graduated from William Penn High School in 1955 and was a member of the first marching band as a drummer, and served many years as an active member of the New Castle/William Penn Alumni Association. While still in high school, he joined the Delaware Air National Guard Crash Team in 1953, and served for 22 years retiring as a Sr. Master Sergeant. Bud had a great love for his country and was also a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Captain Paul N. Dill, Chapter 2 for several years in numerous roles, his happiest being in the Honor Guard. His greatest treasure was his fully restored 1953 Willys Jeep that he proudly drove in numerous parades. Bud was also an active member of his community serving numerous positions at the Wilmington Manor Fire Company and Good Will Fire Company. Safety and first aid were the roots of his being which placed him into several positions in his career, starting off with General Chemical retiring after 33 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement in 1989, he then went to work as supervisor and director at M. Davis and Sons, and Bancroft Construction. Bud was a master woodcraftsman and was always his happiest working on a project in his shed, and he also truly enjoyed crabbing.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Patricia A. (Sheats) Pickhaver; his daughters, Victoria P. Lenoir (Michael Sr.) and Tracey L. Hoopes (Paul); four beloved grandchildren, Michael LeNoir, Jr. (Danielle), Benjamin Lenoir, and Courtney and Katie Hoopes; three adored great grandchildren, Alexandra, Mason, and Nathan LeNoir; sister, Jacqueline Morrow (Doug); brother-in-law, Charles R. Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only son, Edwin J. Jay Pickhaver, Jr. in 1970; and sister, Sharon E. Taylor.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, were family and friends may visit after 9 am.
Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Good Will Fire Company, 401 South Street, New Castle, DE 19720.

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22 Condolences for Edwin John “Bud” Pickhaver, Sr.

  • Aunt Pat, Vicki and Tracey,
    Thinking of you all with lots of love…he will forever be with you all.

  • you will be missed more than you will ever know. B & D forever

  • Prayers for comfort in your time of sorrow. I still have many fond memories of moments shared with your family in my childhood. ( Kim from Stockton)

  • Sorry for your loss! Please accept our condolences. Just always remember the great memories you had and the love your family all had from him xo

    Love,
    Holly, Jack and Robbie

  • Our very deepest condolences during this difficult time. We are thinking of each of you.
    Love,
    Jerry, Tammy, Steven, Jeffrey and Adam

  • Thank you Kim. Very much appreciated.

  • Thanks for all ur love and support

  • Thanks for your love and support

  • Mike, we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Grandfather. How wonderful the memories you have to keep and share with the kids. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

  • I’m sorry for your loss

  • To the Pickhaver family, we are so sorry for your loss. Bud was a terrific man who was a great supporter of us and the William Penn community for so long. Please accept our deepest condolences. We are with you in spirit.

  • I will remember Ed as a friend to all, a fellow worker and veteran, a master woodworking enthusiast, a man of great wisdom and experience and probably THE most dedicated Safety Supervisor that I have ever known. My condolences to his family.

  • Thank you everyone for your kind words and thinking of us during this difficult time. Knowing he is at peace is bringing us comfort.

  • To the Pickhaver family,

    Please accept our deepest condolences and remember he will always be with you.

    Love,
    Marie Neeman, Ruth Veriopoulos and Cathy Neeman

  • Tracey and family, All my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I know you will find peace and comfort in knowing that the pain is all gone and he is at rest. Take life one day at a time and know Bill and I mention your family in our prayers. Love, Carol

  • The Byers family extend our deepest condolences to the Pickhaver family, Pick had a quality to make you laugh, share his extensive knowledge of safety and be your friend for ever. Pick took me under his wing to train me and keep me safe as a young safety coordinator. He knew the Allied Plant like the back of his hand and made it his mission to keep everyone safe, avoid taking short cuts even when unpopular. He had the respect of the employees and made it his mission to keep the employees safe so they could go home each day to their families. I have carried the knowledge he taught me as I continued in my safety career. We talked about jeeps, we talked about family and we laughed. I am a better person for having known Pick. Good By Pick…

  • Sorry for your loss. Pic and I had great times in the Delaware Air National Guard 1955 to 1984.

  • Thinking of you at this time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

  • Thank you both. We appreciate your thoughts

  • Thank you for your heartfelt tribute to Dad. He was one of a kind.

  • Sorry I was sick and unable to attend the services for Bud.

    I first met Bud in 1970 when I joined Wilmington Manor Fire Company. He was an active ambulance guy, and already a safety icon. I saw him occasionally over the years, and he was always very friendly. He was a good guy, and I have nothing but fond memories of him. I am proud of the fact that I got to ride the ambulance with him for a while years ago.

    I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

    Sincerely,
    Edward “Mike” Rush, Jr.

  • We would just like to thank everyone again for the kind words, tributes, and prayers. It brings us great comfort to hear the shared memories you had with him. We always knew he was a special man, but to have it confirmed by so many is very uplifting to our family. God Bless you all.