Howard R. “Bob” MacKnett, Jr.
March 17, 1941 - January 11, 2022
Howard R. “Bob” MacKnett, Jr., age 80, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Born in West Chester, PA, on March 17, 1941, he was a son of the late Howard R. MacKnett, Sr. and Elizabeth Rose (Decino) MacKnett Graden. Bob owned and operated MacKnett’s Auto Body Shop in Newark for over 30 years until his retirement.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son, Howard MacKnett III; siblings, Thelma Shockley and Richard “Dickie” MacKnett; and grandsons, Zachary Miller and Charles Baker. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Nancy Jane (Cheeseman) MacKnett; children, Mary Hanna, Bobbie Jo Needam, James Brown (Kim), Laura Brown, and Brian Brown (Danielle); sister, Joanne Thuet (Duke); 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; canine companion, Suzy Que and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Bob enjoyed drag racing, traveling with Nancy, riding his motorcycle, tending the family farm on his tractor, taking his 1940 Ford Coupe to classic car shows, and spending time with his family. Bob never met a stranger and loved swapping stories with new people. He will be remembered for his quick wit, funny stories, colorful one liners, doing things his way, and living life on his terms.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 12 noon on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will be held at 12 noon. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance regardless of their vaccination status. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE.
The family kindly requests that anyone attending the funeral please refrain from hugging or kissing immediate family members to protect everyone’s safety.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 101, Newark, DE 19713, or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 or online by clicking here.
Jill Alfree
Nancy and family, I was very saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I will miss joking and laughing with him. Rest easy friend.
Carolee Terry
Pray 🙏 go out to you and family..He always made everyone feel welcome..
Dakota
Hey im sorry for your loss he was an amazing guy he made sure everybody was taken care of i didnt really know him but he seems like a really great guy he will be missed by everybody
Angel
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with Laura Brown and Samantha and David McCaffrey. I love you all.
Terri Dalecki (Kwiatkowski)
Maryellen and Bobbi Jo
So very sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I pray you find comfort surrounded by your loved ones. He was such a nice man. Always a jokester. Painted my First Car. Pray he and Bobby had a Great reunion!
Please send my condolences to you Mom
Love,
Terri
Jason Miller Sr
Sorry for your loss my heart goes out to all family and friends