Mr. Theodore Charles “Ted” Markulin, 82, husband of Edna Suiter Markulin and a resident of Melfa, passed away Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Born July 12, 1936, in Rahway, N.J., he was a son of the late Charles Markulin and Eugenia Ratzin Markulin.
Mr. Markulin was raised in Avenel, N.J., and it was there that he met the love of his life, Edna. As neighborhood high school sweethearts, they were married soon after graduation, immediately followed by his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Markulin served his country for decades, both in the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard, retiring as an aircraft technician with the rank of senior master sergeant. His military training focused on mechanics, and over the years, he became a jack of all trades. Mr. Markulin was a highly skilled aircraft and auto mechanic, a talented carpenter and woodworker, and grew an impressively large vegetable garden every year — trades he taught each of his children throughout their childhoods.
Mr. and Mrs. Markulin happily opened their home to anyone in need, and all who received their beautiful gift of hospitality soon became family. Theodore Charles Markulin was a true patriarch who led by example with dedication to his family, his work, and unwavering love to all.
In addition to his wife of more than 64 years, he is survived by six children, Theresa Lappostato and husband, Frank, of North Caldwell, N.J., Theodore Markulin, of Freehold, N.J., Susan Burdge, of Melfa, Joe Markulin and wife, Stacy, of Avenel, Janet Petrik and husband, Tom, of Millstone Township, N.J., and Sheryl Gallo and husband, Mark, of Brick, N.J.; brother, Don Markulin, of Avenel, N.J.; grandchildren, Victor and Dan Lappostato, Elissa Cuellar and husband, Michael, Michael, Steven, and Haley Markulin, and Mandy Tew; great-grandchildren, Angela Rose Lappostato, Kali, Tyler, Sammi, Sophie, Cecile, and Rosalie Markulin; and three stepgrandchildren, Barbara, Stacy, and Sammy. Other than his parents, Mr. Markulin was predeceased by a grandson, Jake Markulin; daughter-in-law, Jackie; and son-in-law, James.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home is Friday, Jan. 4, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Markulin’s memory to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA 23418, to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 (www.kidney.org/support), or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 (www.cancer.org/donate).
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
