Stephen Paul Faulkner

On Monday December 9, 2024, Stephen P. Faulkner, beloved Husband, Father, Poppy, Brother, Uncle, and Friend was called home to be with the Lord at 73 years of age.
Born on March 21,1951 to Roland C. and Elizabeth V. Faulkner, in Wilmington, DE, Stephen was raised in Middletown alongside his five siblings.
As Middletown life would have it, he met the love of his life, Debbie, at George's Delicatessen while his sisters, Rebecca and Virginia, were making them each a sub. Adorning a long beard and long hair at the time, Ginny jokingly introduced her brother 'Moses' to her friend from school, Debbie. It was love at first sight, and the two were married on September 22, 1973 at 19 and 22 years of age in Steve's parent's living room on Cass St. in Middletown.
While he worked at Falcon Steel in Wilmington as a steelworker, Steve and Debbie began their family, welcoming two children, Eli and Sarah. Steve then founded Tappahanna Construction Company in Clayton, DE and worked tirelessly alongside his brother, Jason, every day for 30 years, building industrial structures and completing several beautiful historical restoration projects.
A true heart for service in his life, Steve served on the Clayton Town Council, the Smyrna School Board, and later in life, as an elder at LifeHouse Church in Townsend, DE.
In 1999, Steve's life changed for eternity when he received Jesus as His Lord and Savior and dedicated his life to serving God. After which, he had opportunities to travel and speak to spread the Good News of the Gospel to India, Haiti, Peru, Romania, and Finland. He prayed for the sick, cared for the orphan and the widow, and has a list a mile long of men he has sat with, discipled, prayed over, and encouraged as he shared the Truth of the Gospel with them. Steve's legacy of faith will live on in the hearts of many. He loved God, talking about Jesus, and fiercely loved his family.
A man who could often be found either sitting by a quiet stream, rod in hand, or perched in his deer stand with a rifle and a prayer, Steve was a true outdoorsman. Whether hunting, fishing, or simply enjoying God's creation while gardening, he was happiest outside surrounded by nature and his family. Steve was a gentle giant who loved Jesus, his family, and being on call for his grandchildren's every want and need, including but not limited to quick runs to Starbucks, Chick Fil A, and the Middletown Diner for french fries on Thursdays. He was their confidant, teacher, and friend, always learning about something new and sharing it with them as though he were the expert - even if he had just learned about that subject five minutes prior.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Libby, his sister, Ginny Emerson, Mother-in-Law, Margaret Thomas, and Father-in-Law, Theodore Clark.
Steve's love for his family was as boundless as the land he roamed in search of deer. He leaves behind his cherished wife of 51 years, Debbie, who was his greatest companion in life and true soulmate, his two children, Eli (Katie) and Sarah (David), eleven grandchildren; Quinn, Hannah, Hayley, Keyshawn, Nicolas, Marcus, Andrés, Caden, Carolina, Landen, and Grace and his siblings, Susanne Faulkner, Rebecca Manelski (Bob), Beth Bingaman (John), Jason Faulkner (Susan), Eddie Emerson and sister in law, Cindy Capone.
Steve's legacy will also be carried on through a host of nieces and nephews who adored him endlessly and rolled their eyes at him for decades while he purposefully called them the wrong names and taught them how to play Croquet on Cass Street.
Steve's family celebrates his beautiful life and legacy of faith and will honor him with a Celebration of Life on Sunday December 15, 2024, at LifeHouse Church 101 Karins Blvd. Townsend, DE. A visitation will begin at 3:30pm followed by a service at 4:30pm.