Rev. Dr. Norman E. Dunkle

Rev. Dr. Norman E. Dunkle, 91, died Thursday, November 10, 2022.  He was a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community.

He was born January 6, 1931 in Oil City, where he resided most of his childhood and youth.  He was the first of four children born to N. Doyle and Marna Hale Dunkle.  His brother Harold is deceased.  His brother, William, resides in St. Cloud, FL, and his sister, Mary Samarra, lives in Marbury, MD.

In 1953 he married Lucille Roedel of Brockway.  She preceded him in death on December 25, 2013.  Their son Mark died in 1979.  Sons, David of Cambridge Springs and Keith of Alliance, OH, survive.  He is also survived by two grandsons, Guy and Reed Dunkle.  Guys resides in Little Cooley with his wife Wilma and their sons, Nolan and Graham.  Reed resides in Pittsburgh with his wife Rebecca.

After teaching in the public schools of Kenmore, NY, and Meadville, Dr. Dunkle completed his theological studies and was ordained elder in the Methodist Church in 1968.  He then served for 25 years as Pastor of United Methodist Churches in Western Pennsylvania – Wright’s Church in Venetia, Christ Church in Bethel Park, First Church in Aliquippa, and First Church in Bradford.

Dr. Dunkle held academic degrees from Roberts Wesleyan College, Canisius College, Drew University, and Pittsburgh Theological School.  His principal hobby was writing, primarily for professional and scholarly journals.  After retirement, he occasionally published poetry including one volume of collected works titled, On the Precipice, with Gravity, Levity, and Vertigo.

After returning to Meadville in 2005 as residents of Wesbury Retirement Community, Rev. Dunkle and his wife, Lucille, were very active members of Stone United Methodist Church.  After Lucille’s death, he chose to worship at Wesbury.

Calling hours will be Thursday, November 17th from 12-2 p.m. in the McCracken Chapel, Cribbs Home, Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with the Revs. Sarah Roncolato and Sam Marchetta, officiating.

Private interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St. or the Wesbury Foundation, 31 N. Park Ave., both of Meadville, PA 16335.

The arrangements have been entrusted to the ROBERT W. WAID FUNERAL HOME, 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net