Headstone of John Updike in Mohnton, Pennsylvania

In Mohnton, Pennsylvania, a unique gravestone in a churchyard honors author John Updike. The black slate marker resembles early Puritan grave markers but features a smiling skull motif. This unusual design reflects the grinning face of Updike himself. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Updike later lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and achieved fame as a novelist, poet, and critic. His notable fiction includes the "Rabbit" series and "The Witches of Eastwick." Updike was a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction. His son, Michael, designed the distinctive headstone. Michael carved his father's enduring grin to memorialize his fear of death and capture his essence. The stone also displays Updike's various nicknames and one of his early poems on the reverse side. This epitaph serves as a heartfelt tribute to Updike, his literary legacy, and his affection for New England's visual culture.