A memorial service was held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 at Christ Cathedral in Salina, Kansas. A Committal service will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Missouri.

Norman was born on August 29, 1928, the son of Austa and Norman Wilkinson. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-one years, Sarah (Sally) Snider Wilkinson, who passed away in 2000. He is survived by his wife Pat Wilkinson of Salina; three daughters, Sarah Hainline of Indianapolis, Indiana, Rachel Gutenko of Overland Park, Kansas, and Deborah Wilkinson of Lenexa, Kansas; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, he attended Border Star Elementary and Southwest High School. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and his Ph.D. in British history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Norman enjoyed two careers during his life. His first profession was in accounting. He worked as an Assistant Controller at Macy's, MO-KS division and as Controller at Helzberg's. However, beginning in his thirties, he pursued his love for the study of history by earning two graduate degrees in that field and becoming a college professor. He came to Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina in 1978 as a history professor and remained there until his retirement.

His family would like to thank all of Norman's caregivers at Presbyterian Manor. We deeply appreciate their thoughtfulness and support that they gave to Norman during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Greater Salina Community Foundation and to Christ Cathedral.