John M. "Johnny" Rookard

John M. Rookard

March 4, 1954 - February 10, 2026

John M. Rookard, age 71, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Born in Cleveland, OH, on March 4, 1954, he was a son of the late Ernest and Dorothy (Smith) Rookard, Sr. John worked as a truck driver and for the Department of Transportation for the State of Delaware. John obtained his pilot's license in 1985. He took pride in having a license to drive any kind of vehicle from a car to a motorcycle to an 18-wheeler to tractors and snow plows to small aircraft.

John, affectionately called Johnny by loved ones and good friends, had a passion for many hobbies and pastimes over the years; fishing, shooting pool, flying planes, setting up aquariums at home, metal detecting, and a committed practice to Kung Fu, having achieved the master level. However, the golden thread in his life was making people laugh. He is remembered endearingly as a fun-loving, wise-cracking, and all-around good person. Those close to him feel incredibly lucky to have known him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Brenda L. (Church) Rookard; children, Jessie Evans (Eric) and Jen Rookard (Keith Bleeker); siblings, Ernest Rookard Jr., Sharon Rookard, and Kim Redwood; and grandchildren, Ella and Eugene Evans. He expressed enduring and everlasting love for his wife, children, siblings, and boundless affection and adoration of his two grandchildren. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Randy Rookard.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE. The family has stated that attendees of the services and interment may feel free to dress casually.