7/29/1931 – 5/24/2026
Robert Lewis Warner, Sr. of Wilmington, Delaware, died peacefully at home at the age of 94 on May 24, 2026 surrounded by his family.
Bob grew up in a loving Christian family in various locales in the United States, including Sikeston, Missouri, where he was born, Alaska, California, Kentucky, and Rising Sun, Maryland, where he spent his teenage years.
It was difficult time for him when he lost sight at age 12. After his first (of several) cornea transplants, he continued his education and received a B.A. in history and geography at the University of Delaware, and a Master of Divinity degree at Eastern Seminary, Philadelphia.
On June 25, 1955 he married the love of his life, Audrey Ann Warner (nee Smith) of Rising Sun, Maryland. They had 66 wonderful years together, and had one son, Bob.
Pastor Bob spent 7 years with the Veterans Administration and 13 years with the Social Security Administration in Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky before answering the call to go into ministry at age 36. He served a variety of churches as Lay Speaker, Associate Pastor, and Senior Pastor in the Peninsula United Methodist Conference.
His final appointment was as Senior Pastor (and later Pastor Emeritus) at Marshallton and Cedars United Methodist Churches where he spent 8 years before retiring from full-time ministry in 1997. While at Marshallton he started many new ministries, including the Marshallton Preschool and Kindergarten.
As Pastor Emeritus at Marshallton, Bob remained very active and continued to serve the church in whatever way he could – teaching Bible study, preaching occasionally, mentoring, and encouraging others. The Lord touched and changed many lives through him, more than he knew.
One of the special things everyone remembers about him was his ability to make people laugh. A quote from Bob about his style of ministry was: “I intentionally used humor in almost every sermon. If you have been able to make someone smile or laugh, that’s good. The worse the jokes are the better they like it. Sometimes, there is a collective groan from all over the church. I just enjoy it, so I do it.”
Additionally he was a member of the Peninsula United Methodist Conference Board’s Equitable Compensation Committee; a director and executive committee member of Haven House Ministry (half-way house for alcoholics) in Elkton, Maryland, and former president and director of Family Services of Cecil County, Maryland. He was also part of the Masons for many years.
Years ago when interviewed, he was asked what his hobbies were, and his reply was that he really didn’t have time for hobbies. However, in retirement he and Audrey enjoyed traveling to Kentucky, Alaska, California and to Ocean City, Maryland. He was also an avid reader, and loved watching old Westerns, But most of all, he loved spending time with family and a group of close friends.
Bob was predeceased by his loving wife Audrey Ann Warner, his brother, Bill, and his sister, Carole. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Nancy Warner.
Services will be held at Marshallton United Methodist Church, 1105 Stanton Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 on Saturday, May 30, 2026. A time of visitation will begin at 9am, followed by a service at 10am. Interment will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Marshallton United Methodist Church.
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