It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Jon Charles Archer (affectionately known as Pop-Pop Jon/PPJ) died in his home in Lewes, DE on September 19, 2026. A strong and gentle soul, Jon will be missed deeply and always loved by those who knew him.

Jon was born Dec. 10, 1939, in Pittsburgh PA and enjoyed telling many stories about that childhood, including vivid memories of his grandmother’s baking bread, taking walks with his grandfather who explained the surrounding natural world in great detail, playing outside with neighborhood children, teasing his sister, and in general enjoying his early years.

Jon was a structural designer and worked for several large corporations during his lengthy career, as well as NASA. He moved to California for a period and traveled throughout the US and internationally with work. He loved high energy activities like dirt bike and car racing, skiing, hiking, biking, target shooting, and sailing. He traversed Europe on a motorcycle and shared wonderful stories about this experience. He had a keen mind and remembered everything he read. If you had a question, the reply was often, “go ask Jon.” History, geography, and languages were dear to him. He cherished his pets and cared for many dogs and cats over the years with real tenderness. Jon could best be described as a “mensch;” always there for those that needed him.

His greatest and deepest love was his dearly departed wife, Bernice Helen Archer. The two were devoted to each other; married January 11, 1986, they were a true love story. Both had waited a long time to be together and once that was possible, they enjoyed their lives together, had long-awaited adventures, always held hands, and understood each other in the ways that only they could. They were true soul mates. Jon provided constant care during Bernice’s final days.

Jon is survived by his brother-in-law Joseph Sher, stepdaughter Susan Sklaroff-Van Hook (Greg), stepson David Sklaroff, loving grandchildren, Alex, Kendall (Sam) and Adrienne (Tom), great grandchildren Sophia, Vivian, and Russell, beloved family member Paula, and sweet rescue cat, Bumper. Jon is also preceded in death by his parents Esther and Vincent Archer, sister Virginia O’Brien, and sister-in-law Rochelle Sher.

Jon’s parting wishes were that should you want to memorialize him, listen to the song “The Parting Glass” (by the Clancey Brothers) and raise a toast to him.