Edward Dale Wheatley of Bridgeville, born Nov. 14, 1938, a lifelong Sussex County farmer and owner of Wheatley Farms, Inc., passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 25, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

A true steward of Delaware agriculture, Dale devoted his life to working the land and building Wheatley Farms. Beyond his daily agricultural operations, his farm was deeply tied to the local culture of Sussex County. He generously opened hundreds of acres of his Bridgeville property as the longtime home of the World Championship Punkin Chunkin contest. He was also Vice President of American Syn Fuel, owner of Freeland Farms Trucking, WT Clearing, and multiple housing developments through Wheatley Ventures and Beaver Properties.

Dale proudly served in the National Guard and was a member of the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department and the Bridgeville Lions Club. He enjoyed playing pool and, in his youth, souping up engines to get the maximum speed to win races with his high school friends. He loved having fun, and those who knew him will always remember his great laugh. Dale will be remembered as a hardworking businessman, a devoted farmer, a generous neighbor always willing to lend a hand, and a man whose deep roots in the Bridgeville community touched countless lives.

Dale is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 50 years, Gail (Ellis) Wheatley; his children, Jeffrey Wheatley (Kelly) and Valerie Dale Gilbert (Mike); his grandchildren, Jordan Crockett (Matt), Greg Wheatley, J. Tyler Wheatley, Michael Dale Gilbert (Chasity), Meredith English, Madelyn Gilbert, and Lauren Bennett; his great-grandchildren, Ella and Wyatt Crockett, Ian and Spencer English, Meadow Gilbert, and Scarlett and Selena Newlon; his sisters, Diane Wheatley and Nancy Longmyer; and his niece, Katie Longmyer.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, H. Edward Wheatley and Myra Wheatley; his daughter, Cristy Wheatley; and his first wife, Fay O’Day.

The family also wishes to recognize Dale’s devoted employees and longtime friends, Henry Williams, Gerald Brumfield, Fred Cannon, and Lynda Hoover, whose loyalty and dedication meant so much to him over the years.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 at Union Methodist Church in Bridgeville. A viewing was held beginning at the church prior to the service, interment followed at Bridgeville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Dale’s memory to Woodbridge FFA or Delaware 4-H.

“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and fulfillment of human beings.”

Leave your favorite memory of Dale at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.