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Norman Franklin Wilkerson, Sr., of Dover, DE, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, October 13, 2025. He was surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.
Norman accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior on January 22, 1948, at the age of 10 years old. He will be remembered for his steadfast faith and how he freely shared the gospel with everyone he met.
Norman was born July 2, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Arnold Wilkerson and Edna Yates Still.
Norman moved to Dover as a young boy and made it his lifelong home. He ran a fish market for several years before beginning a long career with ACME Markets, retiring after 35 years in 1994. After retirement, Norman drove a school bus for many years for Hilton Bus Service in Camden. In between bus runs, he drove a log truck for his son’s business, Swartzentruber Saw Mill.
Norman, along with his brother-inlaw, Donald, started the Dover Bible Chapel in 1979 in Dover. This work continues today in the building they purchased in 1982 on Westville Road in Hazlettville, DE. The Sunday School work was important to Norman and, through the years, over 100 children from the local rural community heard the truth about Jesus and His love for them.
Whether starting a new Christian Assembly, working with the local Gideons, preaching at the Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington, or witnessing to truck drivers at Royal Farms, Norman was always busy witnessing for the Lord. He always had tracts in his pocket to share with everyone he met.
Norman met the love of his life, Gladys Ann Lowman, at the West Dover Gospel Hall in 1957 and was married there on September 12, 1959. Throughout their married life, they served the Lord by hosting visiting preachers in their home. Norman’s children cherish their memory of Dad studying his Bible near the wood stove.
Norman is survived by his wife, Gladys A. Wilkerson of Dover, DE, along with his four children, Norman Wilkerson Jr. (Janis) of Hartly, DE, Rachel Wilt (Ricky) of Middletown, DE, Mary Lou Hawkins (Robert) of Felton, DE, and Norma Jean Denham (Jim) of Middletown, DE; fourteen grandchildren and 29 greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Edna Mae Staats of Dover, DE, Joyce Torbert of Dover, DE, and brother, Douglas Wilkerson of Onancock, VA.
Norman was predeceased by his parents and his brother, David Wilkerson, and his grandsons, Dylan Kyle Wilkerson and Robert Kenneth Hawkins.
Funeral services will be held at 12 pm, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Route 10 Location), Dover, DE 19901. A visitation will be held from 10 am to 12 pm prior to the service. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.
For those unable to attend the funeral service, there will be a livestream of the service at www.torbertfuneral.com. It can be found under the “Upcoming Livestreams” tab and viewed by clicking on his name.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Gideons International, Central Delaware Camp, P.O. Box 622, Dover, DE 19903, or contributions in Norman’s memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 (or by visiting https://delawarehospice.org/donate/).
