Dr. Thomas Jeffrey Macko

Dr. Thomas Jeffrey Macko, Chiropractor, age 68, of South Whitehall Township, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 24, 2025. Born November 10, 1957, in White Oak, PA, he was the son of the late Thomas W. Macko and Rosemarie (Klemens) Macko. He was raised with four siblings and was a 1975 graduate of Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, PA.

Tom was the beloved husband of Jane Sheble Macko, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage. Tom and Jane's story began at Denison University, where Tom, a charismatic Phi Delt, and Jane, a Kappa Kappa Gamma sweetheart, first met in freshman English class. Tom would catch Jane's eye by flexing his muscles across the classroom and making her giggle. Their first date was during Parents Weekend their freshman year, when neither of their parents made the trip to Ohio. Tom asked Jane to attend a play with him and afterwards, they talked late into the night about anything and everything. They married in August of 1981 and raised three children together. Tom was a devoted father and loved playing with his children, their favorite game with him involving a red plastic bat and referred to as "Bad Guy". They hold fond memories of Tom reading them the entire Chronicles of Narnia series, singing Puff the Magic Dragon, and endless adventures and gas station snacks during summers in Maine. He was their first coach, their confidant, and a consistent source of safety, love and trust.

Tom earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa in 1984 and established his own practice, Whitehall Chiropractic Center. For nearly thirty years, Tom was a compassionate chiropractor who brought care and healing to many.

Tom was gentle, patient, kind-hearted, and a total Fun Hog. He was quick to smile and introduce himself to strangers, always curious to learn about others and loved to ask people what they did for fun. Tom was extremely active, from his high school days playing football and wrestling, through college rugby and later running, biking, hiking, soccer clubs, and downhill skiing. Tom could incorporate a workout in the most creative ways and was always thrilled to work up a sweat. Even after his diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, he was known to take off in sprint or drop to the ground and do pushups while cheered on by family, friends, and caregivers.

Tom was an animal lover, adored by family pets who would greet him smiling with crinkled noses. He was the life of the party, lighting up the dance floor with his "signature moves", specifically break dancing and Fire Man. He was at peace in nature and loved spending time in the woods. Tom was artistic and creative, and designed many impressive Halloween costumes for his children over the years. Finally, music spoke to Tom's soul. Especially the greatest rock and roll band in the world, the Rolling Stones. Music served as a beautiful form of connection with loved ones as his disease progressed.

The moment Tom laid eyes on his first grandchild, he was moved to tears. Though his years as Pop Pop were far too short, Tom loved his grandchildren fiercely. He marveled over them and loved nothing more than to be in their presence, playing, reading, cradling, or simply just being. As his disease progressed, time with his grandchildren continued to bring him true happiness, lighting him up from the inside out.

Tom was, by nature, supportive, loving, and nonjudgmental. He cared most that his loved ones were happy, regardless of their pursuits. He modeled resilience for his children and instilled in their minds and hearts, "Mackos never give up!" Tom believed in the goodness of humanity and treating others with kindness and respect. He was a deep thinker and feeler and held the strong belief that the purpose of life was, in his words, "to help each other out". He lived that purpose fully. He is deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survived by: Wife: Jane Sheble Macko of Allentown, PA; Daughter: Holly (Brandon) Harris of Erdenheim, PA; Sons: Jonathan (Sarah) Macko of Glenville, NY, and Blake Macko of Philadelphia, PA; Sisters: Deborah (Lawrence) Contrella of Millersville, MD, and Linda (Richard) Smiga of Lititz, PA; Brothers: Timothy Macko of Sanibel Island, FL, and Terence Macko of Washington, D.C.; and five grandchildren: John Ryan, Charlotte Rose, Thomas Gerard, Terence Frank, and John "Jack" Gerard.

Family and friends will gather at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1533 Springhouse Rd, Allentown, PA 18104 on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:00 am , followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom's memory to: Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org; Wildlands Conservancy: www.wildlandspa.org; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: www.chop.edu